Emery takes aim at his 'lazy' players while Sunderland discover red resolve

Aston Villa finally scored their first Premier League goal of the season but, on this quietly concerning evidence, Unai Emery's quest for last season's mislaid form is far from over.

- Louise Taylor

In marked contrast, Sunderland were a study in resilience, belief and impressive organisation. Régis Le Bris's side could easily have folded after the 33rd-minute dismissal of their left-back Reinildo Mandava for violent conduct and the rare second-half mistake from Robin Roefs that allowed Matty Cash to shoot Emery's team ahead from 25 yards.

Instead, with the central defenders Nordi Mukiele and Omar Alderete outstanding, Le Bris's 10 men simply regrouped before Wilson Isidor half-volleyed his third league goal of the season to strip the shine from the Villa manager's weekend.

With seconds remaining an increasingly agitated Emery was evidently so disgusted by the visitors' passivity that he turned on his heel, briefly shook Le Bris by the hand and stormed down the tunnel.

"We have to accept one point but this is not how we want to be as a team," said Villa's manager. "We need to get our identity back. We need to get confident again. I'm frustrated and disappointed. It should have been easier playing against 10 men but we're not playing with the identity we've shown in the last three years. For me, it's not enough."

Emery added: "We were lazy sometimes in defence. For example, when we conceded we were lazy."