Sunderland travel to Villa Park this Saturday as they search for their first league win of the season. The Black Cats have a significantly worse record in the fixture than the Villans, winning 54 games out of 180 fixtures, with Villa winnings 81 of the meetings. You will have to go all the way back to 1982 to see the last time Sunderland defeated Aston Villa by more than a single goal – a 3-1 win at Villa Park. Read Sunderland take a look at the best and worst times in the history of this fixture for Black Cats.
Best
Aston Villa 0-1 Sunderland
A Michael Chopra goal secured all three points for a struggling Sunderland side away to Aston Villa in 2008. Substitute Chopra struck seven minutes from time to help Roy Keane’s side steer clear from the drop-zone, with their first away win of the season. Aston Villa, managed by Martin O’Neil, were flying high at the time, with players like Ashley Young and Gareth Barry within their ranks, making the win all the more impressive.
Sunderland 2-2 Aston Villa
Sunderland came from behind twice on the day to spoil Darren Bent’s unfriendly return to the Stadium of Light. A first goal for 18-year-old Connor Wickham and a late equaliser from Stephane Sessegnon cancelled out a Stylian Petrov screamer and a late Richard Dunne goal. A particular highlight of the game was Darren Bent’s one-on-one miss against Kieran Westwood, with the striker the pantomime villain following his untimely £24-million exit 10 months earlier.
Worst
Aston Villa 6-1 Sunderland
A truly awful day for Paolo Di Canio’s men, who were outclassed from the first minute. On the back of two wins, Di Canio’s side were gathering momentum as they looked to move away from the drop-zone. However, Aston Villa did not read the script, a Christian Benteke hat-trick, as well as goals from Ron Vlaar, Andi Weimann and Gabby Agbonlahor saw off Sunderland. Danny Rose scored for Sunderland to make it 1-1 at the time but Aston Villa were relentless and Sunderland gutless on the night. Stephane Sessegnon was sent off 20 minutes from time to cap off a poor night for the Black Cats.
Sunderland 0-4 Aston Villa
The last meeting between the two sides saw Gus Poyet lose his job on Wearside. Tim Sherwood brought his improving Aston Villa side to the North-East, and the game was over before half-time. Two goals each from nemesis Gabby Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke meant the score was 4-0 before the interval, with many Sunderland fans making an early exit.
Three goals within 19 first-half minutes saw Sunderland’s defence crumble in horrific style. The result was a blessing in disguise, with Dick Advocaat taking the helm and steering Sunderland clear of danger.
