And that's game over. The spoils are shared after an entertaining draw at Villa Park. That means it is time for me to wave goodbye, so head over here for all the reaction. See ya!

Oh hello - a Sunderland corner. They can't, can they? Nope, Villa clear their lines easily...

Four minutes of added time for Villa to find a winner...

Home corner as everyone bar Sunderland sub Seb Larsson piles into the away penalty area. The delivery goes over Rudy Gestede's imposing figure, instead finding the head of Micah Richards who heads over the bar.

Sunderland venture into Villa territory for the first time in a while. Steven Fletcher tussles with Jordan Amavi as the Black Cats try to alleviate the pressure, but the away striker concedes a free-kick. Villa spring forward again...

Sunderland look pretty happy to sit deep and shut out Villa rather than look for the win - as illustrated below by the average position graphic. Quite wise.

Image source, Opta

Still all Villa. Big striker Rudy Gestede again causing problems for the away defence. This time the summer signing from Blackburn drags a 15-yard shot wide of the left-hand post.

Rudy Gestede jumps for a right-wing cross but tumbles under the attentions of away defender Younes Kaboul. The Villa forward is waved up by the referee.

All Villa now. The claret and blue shirts surge towards the goal in front of the Holte End, desperately seeking a third goal which could see off Sunderland. Rudy Gestede tees up Ashley Westwood whose rising shot is superbly saved by Costel Pantilimon. Some nervous faces in the away end now... 

Nope. Villa substitute Carlos Gil exchanges passes with Scott Sinclair and jinks into the Sunderland box. The Spaniard rounds a defender and tumbles to the ground. "Penalty!" demands the Holte End. Referee Robert Madley says no and books Gil for diving.

Final change for Sunderland. Seb Larsson - a former Birmingham City midfielder - replaces Jeremain Lens. That, to me, suggests that Sunderland are content with a point.

Now the lanky Rudy Gestede reverts to stereotype and uses his head to trouble the Sunderland defence. But the header loops over the crossbar.

Almost a sight of the Sunderland goal for the home side. Summer signing Rudy Gestede shows he can use his feet as well as his head, prodding a through ball towards Carlos Sanchez. But the giant Benin international's touch is a little too strong and it wanders out for a goal-kick.

Still an excellent tempo to this match as Sunderland cling on to possession close to the halfway line. Could go either way this one - I'm not even going to try and call it...

Image source, Getty Images

Ooooh, Jermain Defoe almost sniffs out a goalscoring chance. The ex-England striker scampers after a long pass from Sunderland team-mate Yann M'Vila, only to see his first touch run into the hands of Villa keeper Brad Guzan. Great vision for the pass, but a difficult one to control.

Villa boss Tim Sherwood decides it is time for a switch. On trots mercurial Spanish midfielder Carles Gil, who high-fives Leandro Bacuna as he heads in the opposite direction.

Villa left-back Jordan Amavi is not shy of sticking on the afterburners and ploughing forward - as his touch-map shows. However, he has not brought his shooting boots, blasting wildly over the Sunderland crossbar from outside the box.

Image source, Opta

That set-piece comes to nothing, however. Micah Richards peels off his marker but cannot stick his forehead on the ball.

Exciting stuff now! Very open game with both sides going on the front foot. Villa left-back Jordan Amavi dances into the Sunderland box - beating the opposite full-back with a succession of Cristiano Ronaldo-esque step-overs. The Dutchman forces a corner...

Micah Richards is a man whose job it is to turn the ball away from the goal. But not the opponent's net! Somehow the Villa skipper manages to divert a left-wing cross into the grateful hands of Sunderland keeper - and his former Manchester City team-mate - Costel Pantilimon from virtually the goalline. He can't believe it. And neither can Sunderland. Villa should have been in front.