That set-piece comes to nothing, but soon Villa send up the big lads from the back again. The home side win a free-kick close to the touchline in the shaded part of Villa Park. The delivery is headed over by Ciaran Clark, but referee Robert Madley orders it to be retaken after some shoving. Unfortunately for the home fans it is a poor delivery at the second attempt and Sunderland escape.

Villa boss Tim Sherwood looks pretty relaxed as he peers on to the pitch from the dugout. And so he might - his side look the likelier to nab a lead. Villa right-back Alan Hutton sees the pitch open in front of him, whipping in a cross which is headed clear by Younes Kaboul for a corner.

Better from Sunderland. The Black Cats haven't done much since the equaliser, but here left-back Patrick van Aanholt sneaks down the flank and across the byeline. However, his cut-back just evades a fellow green shirt.

Ouch! Lee Cattermole - never far from the thick of tough stuff - clatters into Villa's Idrissa Gueye inside the Sunderland half. Gueye collapses to the turf, screaming for a foul. None given. But Cattermole is given some friendly advice by referee Robert Madley to calm it down.

Glimpse of a chance for Villa. Idrissa Gueye picks up the ball about 25 yards out from the Sunderland goal, but tamely drags his effort wide.

Apart from Lee Cattermole's stupidity, Sunderland have been quite organised defensively. Younes Kaboul races across to the right channel to cut out a probing Villa ball.

Plenty of joy down the flanks for Villa in this opening quarter. Left-back Jordan Amavi bombs on - not for the first time as our heatmap shows. No joy for the French Under-21 international though as Sunderland scramble clear.

Image source, Opta

If Scott Sinclair had a half chance then this is a proper opportunity for Villa. Ashley Westwood pounces on a loose ball inside the Sunderland area, slashing his right-footed shot into the side-netting.

Another half chance for Villa, who are knocking the ball around crisply and driving forward with pace. Scott Sinclair cuts in from the left, twists, turns, but can't hit the target with his shot.

Just what the football doctor ordered for Villa. Now the home side - and their fans - are feeling confident. Rudy Gestede's cushioned header falls to Idrissa Gueye, whose shot is blocked.

Jason Roberts on Final Score:  "Cattermole has got his hands all over him and you can't do that. It's rash."  

Oh dear. Lee Cattermole - what are you thinking? The Premier League's walking yellow card needlessly climbs all over Scott Sinclair in the Sunderland box. Penalty.

Villa venture into the Sunderland half with little success, before the visitors spring forward through Jermain Defoe. The ex-England striker feeds Danny Graham who is hauled down 25 yards from the Villa goal. Promising position...

Jeremain Lens has another sniff down the right flank. The Dutchman is gifted possession by Villa midfielder Carlos Sanchez, but is unable to pick out a green shirt in the Villa box.

Villa enjoy their first spell of possession, recalled right-back Alan Hutton making progress down the flank. But the Scot can't find a killer ball - he goes inside and when the ball does go towards the area, Sunderland clear.

Encouraging stuff from Sunderland in the early exchanges. No lack of confidence here. Flying Dutchman Jeremain Lens stretches his legs down the right touchline, only to see his cross cut out by Villa defender Ciaran Clark.

Sunderland have the honour of beginning this match. Ref Bobby Madley gives the Sunderland strikers the nod - and we're off.

Aston Villa: Guzan, Hutton, Richards, Clark, Amavi, Westwood, Sanchez, Bacuna, Gueye, Sinclair, Gestede. Subs: Bennett, Cole, Veretout, Ayew, Gil, Kozak, Bunn.

Sunderland: Pantilimon, Jones, Kaboul, O'Shea, Van Aanholt, Rodwell, Cattermole, M'Vila, Lens, Graham, Defoe. Subs: Larsson, Toivonen, Coates, Mannone, Fletcher, Watmore, Gooch. 

Referee: Robert Madley (West Yorkshire)