Team spirit is key for Sunderland defender

SUNDERLAND defender Trai Hume has hailed the Black Cats' mentality this season, which came to the fore in the recent 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light.

- By MATTY HEWITT Football writer

Trai Hume

Regis Le Bris' side had to play almost an hour with ten men after left-back Reinildo was shown a red card for kicking out at Villa defender Matty Cash.

Despite falling behind with Cash grabbing the opener for Unai Emery's side - Sunderland were the better team even though they were a man down.

The Cats were a real threat from set pieces, and Villa were unable to match their physicality through the 90 minutes, Wilson Isidor scoring a deserved equaliser with 15 minutes to play.

"It was tough," Hume said when asked about the red card and going down to 10 men. "I think throughout the second half we tried to get up the pitch and create chances whenever we needed to from set pieces.

"I think overall, a draw was probably a fair result. We stuck together as a team, we have good togetherness and we believe in what we're told to do.

"Even with 10 men, Regis came in at halftime and gave us details about what we need to do and we went out and did it perfectly. We stuck together and created chances when we needed to."