Overview

• Villa drew 1-1 at Sunderland as Matty Cash netted their first Premier League goal before Wilson Isidor equalised, with Reinildo sent off for the hosts after a VAR review.
• The result extended Villa’s winless league start to five games and left them 18th on three points, with match reports highlighting a lack of creativity and slow build-up play.
• Unai Emery said the team “doesn’t look like my team,” accused players of being “lazy” in key moments, and defended leaving for the tunnel seconds before full-time.
• Pundits questioned both player form and coaching choices, with Shay Given warning of the risks of public criticism, Jamie Carragher lamenting like-for-like substitutions, and Troy Deeney calling out Ollie Watkins’ drought and influence.
• Football Insider reported claims of unhappiness among senior players as Emery pushes new arrivals to adapt, with Bologna in the Europa League and Fulham in the league up next at Villa Park.