The Sunderland fans are getting very, very restless.

Their team are just kicking the ball back to Aston Villa every time they get it.

It has been shocking stuff from the hosts.

Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce does not look a happy man.

He is chewing away furiously on a bit of gum as his side continue to give the ball away cheaply.

Villa will be very encouraged.

This match is certainly lacking quality at the moment.

Aston Villa looking the more dangerous but little to show from either side.

Image source, Getty Images

Corner to Sunderland... Big men forward...

Comes to nothing as Adam Johnson's floated delivery is headed tamely over by Fabio Borini.

Fabio Borini is furious he doesn't get a free-kick on the edge of the area, after a tussle with Micah Richards. Play is waved on though and Duncan Watmore latches onto the loose ball and strikes straight at Brad Guzan.

Sunderland are looking very vulnerable at the back.

Rudy Gestede is dominating aerially for the Villains, while Jordan Veretout and Leandro Bacuna are getting forward well on the flanks.

Plenty of mistakes from both sides.

Leandro Bacuna is having a field day.

The midfielder again gets free, drives down the right, and his deep cross finds Jordan Veretout, whose low volley is well palmed away by Sunderland stopper Vito Mannone.

Image source, Getty Images

Shocking defending by Sunderland.

First, Lee Cattermole gifts Leandro Bacuna possession on the edge of the halfway line. The midfielder drives forward but again shoots wide.

Aston Villa's first threat of the match as Leandro Bacuna nips inside and curls a shot just wide.

Sam Allardyce described this match as the biggest of the season and his Sunderland side have responded early on.

A high tempo and they go close as Duncan Watmore latches onto Fabio Borini's back heel but blazes over from the edge of the penalty area.

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland start on the front foot as Duncan Watmore chases down a hopeful punt. A strong wind blowing around the Stadium of Light...

If Sunderland or Aston Villa are going to still be in the Premier League next season, they need to get motoring.

Surely neither can afford to lose this? Under way.

Image source, .

A glance at the Premier League table and things don't look great for either.

Aston Villa are marooned at the bottom on just eight points and without a league win in 17 league matches.

Sunderland have lost five straight league matches and are seven points adrift of safety 

Here come the teams.

'Dance of the Knights' from Prokofiev's ballet is played over the tannoy as they emerge into a very wet arena.

Few nervous faces around the ground...

Alistair Mann
BBC MOTD commentator

"While survival seems a long way off for both, the loser of this game will surely start to feel even more desperate.

"Putting the "six pointer" clichés to one side, the fact is that Sunderland and Villa each probably need a further 10 wins from their remaining 19 games and this fixture will have been targeted by both clubs as the first of them.

"Though the Black Cats' almost annual surge for safety means their supporters will be more used to this predicament than most, even their patience will wear thin if they don't beat Villa.

"And while you get the sense the visitors have begun to resign themselves to their fate, victory at the Stadium Of Light will at least allow them to ponder those 'you never know' feelings."

Image source, Getty Images

Mark Lawrenson
Ex-Liverpool defender

Danny Mills
BBC Radio 5 live

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