Overview

• Aston Villa drew 1-1 at Sunderland despite the hosts playing over an hour with ten men after Reinildo Mandava was sent off following a VAR review for kicking Matty Cash.
• Matty Cash’s 25-yard strike gave Villa their first Premier League goal of the season before Wilson Isidor equalised, leaving Emery’s side 18th and winless after five matches.
• Unai Emery said the display was “lazy” and “doesn’t look like my team,” then left for the tunnel before full-time, later explaining the match was effectively over with seconds remaining.
• Harvey Elliott again came off the bench as Emery said the loanee must better grasp Villa’s identity and decision-making, while pundits questioned the manager’s public criticism.
• Troy Deeney highlighted Ollie Watkins’ goal drought and Villa’s lack of cutting edge, and Shay Given warned that calling players “lazy” in public carries dressing-room risk.