Sunderland still lacking any intent going forward but you can't help wondering where Aston Villa are going to get an equaliser from.

Half chance for Jermain Defoe. He twists and turns on the edge of the penalty area but his shot is blocked.

Promising from Aston Villa.

Carles Gil races down the right and curls in a decent cross towards Rudy Gestede. Sunderland clear.

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland shout for a penalty as Adam Johnson's free-kick hits Idrissa Gueye on the top of the shoulder.

Play on.

Back under way at the Stadium of Light.

What have Aston Villa got left?

Image source, AP

Here come the teams.

BBC Newcastle's SAFC summariser Gary Bennett: "Sam Allardyce will be happy with the first half. Sunderland have got their noses in front. They got the goal through a little bit of luck, but you make your own luck in this game." 

As the graphic shows below, Aston Villa have had plenty of the ball...

It means nothing though.

Image source, .

Not the greatest of halves - but it is the only 3pm Premier League match to produce a goal so far... 

Welcome to the best league in the world...

Patrick van Aanholt takes a few steps back.... runs forward.... but bends the shots wide.

Sunderland are finally enjoying more of the ball. A free-kick 25 yards out after Billy Jones is tumbled by Leandro Barcuna. Chance?

It was against the run of play, but Patrick van Aanholt's opener against Aston Villa was a well-worked goal, with a massive deflection at the end - not shown below.  

Image source, Opta

Duncan Watmore is Sunderland's one bright light going forward.

Every time the young striker gets the ball, he looks to drive towards goal. Direct stuff.

Sunderland won't quite know how they are ahead.

Their possession has been awful, they have been virtually non existent as an attacking force but, if this stays the same, they won't care.

For all Villa's possession, they do lack a cutting edge.

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Newcastle's SAFC summariser Gary Bennett: "Now they've taken the lead, this is where Sunderland have got to get it together again and calm things down. They've got their noses in front when Villa were in the ascendancy.

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa are still the team coming forward but where are the goals going to come from?

Rudy Gestede's looping header is very easy for goalkeeper Vito Mannone.

Garth Crooks
Former Spurs striker on Final Score

“As far as deflections go, that was a brute. It was a horrible deflection.”