A Scott Sinclair double has given Aston Villa a 2-1 half-time lead against Sunderland, who led early on through Yann M'Vila.
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Sunderland looked determined to find their first league win of the season from the start, with Ciaran Clark twice producing crucial interceptions to stop Jeremain Lens finding a striker in the game's early moments.
The Black Cats' early pressure paid off, as M'Vila gave the visitors the lead on 9 minutes with a 25-yard free kick which curled past Brad Guzan.
Villa did not wait long to find an equaliser though, as Sinclair was brought down by Lee Cattermole in the Sunderland box. The former Manchester City winger picked himself up before firing the spot kick past Costel Pantilimon.
Sunderland struggled to recover from Sinclair's quick response, and Ashley Westwood came close to giving the Villians the lead when the midfielder picked up Alan Hutton's through ball before shooting narrowly wide.
Idrissa Gueye came close to finding the net on 25 minutes from just outside the Sunderland box, but the midfielder's effort dragged wide.
The hosts took the lead on 41 minutes, when Jordan Amavi picked out Sinclair with an inviting cross for the winger's second goal.
Stephen Topping
