Sunderland

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist

Ange Postecoglou takes charge of Nottingham Forest at the City Ground for the first time on Saturday, with promoted Sunderland the visitors. BBC Sport takes a look at some of the key themes going into the game.

Postecoglou is the first permanent Nottingham Forest manager to be winless after four games in charge since Stan Hardy in 1930. Nonetheless, he has been encouraged by the team's adoption of his front-foot philosophy in back-to-back draws away to Burnley and Real Betis.

The Australian saw moments of "beauty" from his side during their first European game for 29 years on Wednesday, when a late Betis equaliser denied them victory. It was the third match in a row in which Forest have been unable to hold on to a lead.

"We need to now convert our good play into victories, but I think that'll come if we keep playing like that," Postecoglou enthused afterwards. "I just thought some of the football we played was outstanding and this group of players have been really receptive to what we're trying to do."

The table below shows how Postecoglou's appointment has accelerated Nottingham Forest's change from a side who sat deep and used long balls to launch attacks. In their past two matches, they have gone against the growing trend for a direct approach, instead creating chances through slick passing moves.

Postecoglou is winless in nine Premier League games, including his time at Tottenham. It is the worst top-flight run of his managerial career but Saturday represents the 60-year-old's first home match with Forest.

Positive omens for Black Cats

Opponents Sunderland have bucked a trend so far this season by making a strong start. Their tally of eight points after five games is the equal-highest by a promoted side across the past seven seasons.

In Premier League history, 15 promoted sides have reached eight points or more after five matches - and they all avoided relegation.

Sunderland were winless heading into October in each of their previous four top-flight campaigns. They already have two victories this time around and have demonstrated the "well organised and pragmatic" identity that head coach Regis le Bris referenced during pre-season.

History suggests the Black Cats will stay up but they head into back-to-back away fixtures seeking a first win - and goal - on the road. A slow start on their travels characterised Sunderland's previous seven Premier League campaigns, during which it took them seven attempts on average to earn a first away victory.

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary of Nottingham Forest v Sunderland at 17:30 BST on Saturday

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport football statistician

Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland have taken a combined 19 points from their opening five games, making it the best start to a Premier League season by the promoted sides since 2017-18.

In fact, only four times in Premier League history have the promoted sides made a better start to a season.

Sunderland have taken the most points out of the three, becoming the ninth promoted side in Premier League history to taken eight points from their first five games.

It's a good omen for the Black Cats as all of the previous eight sides survived, with four even finishing in the top half…although Hull did only survive on the final day in 2008-09.

So why have this season's trio started so much better than Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton last campaign?

Because they've been much more successful at keeping Premier League opposition at bay, conceding six fewer goals and giving up 31 fewer chances between them.

Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland haven't actually been much better in attack.

While they've scored four more goals than the promoted sides did at this stage last season, they've taken a similar number of shots and generated fewer expected goals between them, so there's still room for improvement going forward.

Josh Lobley
BBC Sport Journalist

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground (kick-off 17:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On Habib Diarra, who is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines following surgery: "We know he will need time to properly recover now, without rushing the process, because he is a very young player. I'm not worried about the situation. It's a shame because Habib was important for us. He has done well so far, but depth in the squad is still needed."

• He was asked about players like Jay Matete and Joe Anderson, who are not featuring in first team or reserve squads: "They are still training with the group because we need to take care of them. They are not involved in the core of the squad right now, so they are probably waiting for the next transfer window for a new opportunity. It is not ideal but football is like that."

• After being taken off following Reinildo's red card against Aston Villa, Le Bris said Chris Rigg's reaction has been "positive", adding: "He was frustrated and disappointed, but one of his main qualities is he is a squad player. He can manage his anger for the squad, for the collective purpose. He is really young and his reaction was really balanced."

• When it was pointed out to Le Bris that his side are yet to score in the first half of a match this season, he said that was "natural", adding: "Games are often like that - both teams are more stable and organised. The game becomes more open and chaotic later on. After 45 minutes, you understand the opponent more so you can find opportunities."

• On Noah Sadiki, who has been praised for his hard work early in the season: "He is not the only one but running and covering space is one of his qualities. We spoke early in the season about his volume - it is a strength, but it is possible to manage his energy and be more efficient. He is getting better in this part of the game."

Hear more from Le Bris on BBC Sounds

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary of Nottingham Forest v Sunderland at 17:30 on Saturday

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Image source, Getty Images

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini says Habib Diarra's absence will "unquestionably be a blow" for head coach Regis le Bris, but believes the Black Cats will be able to find a solution in their squad.

It is estimated that the 21-year-old midfielder will be sidelined for at least two months after undergoing "successful surgery" on a groin injury on Monday.

"I think Regis le Bris was hoping it would only be two or three weeks out when he spoke about it after Sunday's match," Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle. "But it won't be, it is more serious.

"Diarra will be out until December now, which is a great shame because he was building quite the relationship with Noah Sadiki in the middle of the field.

"He is the club record-signing so of course it will unquestionably be a blow, but there are options for the head coach.

"Chris Rigg started on Sunday. I thought he looked fine for the 30 minutes or so that he played and he didn't look out of his depth.

"Granit Xhaka could also drop a bit deeper, Enzo le Fee could then be played in the number 10 and Simon Adingra could be brought back into the side on the left.

"Another option is to possibly play Dan Neil, but it is quite clear that he is second-choice to Sadiki at the moment."

Listen to the full conversation on BBC Sounds

Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Another decent performance, another point on the board, and we're still undefeated at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League.

That said, despite being pretty upbeat and positive in the wake of the game, I'm actually feeling slightly conflicted about the result Sunderland achieved against Aston Villa on Sunday.

On one hand, I feel frustration Reinildo Mandava's moment of madness led to a subsequent red card, which not only means we are going to be without a very good player for three games, but also that we had to play over an hour of football with 10 men in a game we would have won comfortably if it had been 11 versus 11.

On the other hand, I feel unbelievably proud of my team and the players for the effort they showed across 90 minutes to ensure we got a good result.

Sunderland were fantastic. I keep talking about the spirit and desire of this group, and, rather perversely, I think our players quite enjoyed the scenario that unfolded, and they all got stuck in and made sure Villa struggled to make their one-man advantage count. We were the better team, and every man in a red-and-white shirt grafted for the point we achieved.

Sunderland continue to surprise and impress me.

Nordi Mukiele and Omar Alderete have been two unbelievable signings, and I feel like I need to pinch myself occasionally when I'm watching just how good some of these players are we've recruited. Still, some of the lads we had last season - namely Wilson Isidor, Trai Hume, Chris Rigg, and Dan Ballard - do not look out of place when surrounded by these new acquisitions, and for that they deserve immense credit.

The goal Villa scored came against the run of play. In truth, the always-excellent Robin Roefs probably should have done better, but we'll let him off. We didn't drop our heads. We persisted, we drove at the Villa defence, and Mukiele's long throws caused all kinds of problems and led to the equaliser.

But it was two moments of quality from Granit Xhaka and then Isidor which led to the goal - a wonderful cushioned header from our captain into the path of Sunderland's top scorer, who was on his toes and ready, nudging Ezri Konsa aside before slamming the ball beyond Emi Martinez.

There is something very different about this group of Sunderland players and they never give up, which is why we keep on finding ways to accrue points.

Another satisfying performance, then, even if I am a tad annoyed we never really had the opportunity to beat Villa with 11 players.

Let's keep the good feeling going as we head into next weekend's game against Nottingham Forest!

Find more from Gavin Henderson at Roker Report, external

Nick Barnes
BBC Newcastle

Image source, Getty Images

Regis Le Bris speaks consistently about players getting their chance as the season is long and demanding.

Five matches in and his foresight is being tested early with the injury to Habib Diarra.

It is a blow without question as Diarra and Noah Sadiki were building a good rapport in the engine room of midfield but on Sunday Chris Rigg stepped up for his first Premier League start to plug the gap and didn't look out of his depth.

Unfortunately he was only on the pitch for thirty five minutes before being replaced by Dan Ballard following Reinildo's dismissal.

Going forward Rigg is the obvious candidate to replace Diarra but another option open to Le Bris is to drop Granit Xhaka into a defensive midfield role which will allow Enzo Le Fee to play in his favoured number ten position. Simon Adingra can then be accommodated on the left wing. Le Bris at least has options.

• Listen to debate over Trai Hume's tackle that has fans talking - should Sunderland have had another red on Sunday against Aston Villa?

Image source, Getty Images

Sunderland midfielder Habib Diarra has had surgery on a groin injury and will miss at least two months.

The Black Cats say the 21-year-old Senegal international, signed in a reported club record £30m deal from Strasbourg in the summer, is expected to return in December following a period of rehabilitation.

Diarra sustained the injury in training before last weekend's draw with Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light.

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Sunderland and Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

Sunderland fans

Arnold: After a soul-destroying red card, Sunderland showed their true strengths. Playing as a team and securing a remarkable point. Unbeaten in three games. This team is building into one to be reckoned with.

Fred: This fightback, with 10 men totally convinced me we are a Premier League team and we are here to stay.

Ian: Sunderland have shown in the first five games what you need to survive. Threat, controlling games, resilience and a great team spirit. They react to the superb fans, home and away. A great point today, although had it been 11 v 11 they would have won easily against a surprisingly very poor Villa team. Hats off to Regis le Bris- he's such a good manager at this level.

Craig: The fans are absolutely loving the way Sunderland are playing. Ten men with an hour left and we fight and fight. If we do stay up, it will be because of this attitude. Long may it continue.

Villa fans

Clive: Villa still haven't put in a performance to actually win a game. The manager disappearing down the tunnel before the whistle was blown is not a good sign and I feel the lid of the pressure cooker is about to be blown.

Robbie: A terrible performance. They seemed clueless. They are easily read and do not have final penetration. They are going to struggle and will not be in the top 10.

Mick: These performances are no better than those under Steven Gerrard three years ago. None of Unai Emery's signings have added quality. And the league decline started last season. Relegation fodder unless someone gets a grip.

Christian: It has been the same every game this season, and towards the back end of the last too. Slow, ponderous, dull football. Maybe teams have worked us out and we're not adapting. Maybe some players wished they were elsewhere, maybe both. Emery consistently talks about our identify. What is it? I don't know what he's trying to achieve anymore.

Pundits Shay Given and Theo Walcott join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Bournemouth 0-0 Newcastle

• Sunderland 1-1 Aston Villa

• Arsenal 1-1 Man City

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

Sunderland have rightly earned plaudits for the way they have adapted to life in the top flight since winning the Championship play-off final.

After sweeping aside West Ham on the opening weekend of the season, they have also defeated Brentford and secured a point at FA Cup winners Crystal Palace.

But Sunday's performance will have pleased boss Regis le Bris just as much as anything he has seen from his players so far this season as his players found a way to secure a draw despite playing for so long with 10 players.

Sunderland showed an abundance of resilience and determination, and actually looked the better team after full-back Reinildo's dismissal.

Despite falling behind, they showed character to equalise through French striker Wilson Isidor's third goal of the season - all at the Stadium of Light.

It was a gutsy performance by Sunderland who, despite a busy summer in the transfer market, look at home in the Premier League, with this point adding to their growing early season momentum.

Regis Le Bris spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Sunderland's draw against Aston Villa: "The value of this one is really important because we had different experiences today.

"We started really well 11 v 11, we were in our gameplan, well connected with the opportunities and were in a good place.

"Then the red card came - but the team reacted really well. It was important to stay 0-0 and then at half-time we decided on a new game plan.

"They did really well with the deep block and it became a set-piece game. Then after we conceded we reacted well again. The way we want to play together, to react, to suffer, we knew this would be the case often."

Did you know?

Sunderland are only the third newly promoted team in the last seven Premier League seasons (since 2019-20) to win as many as eight points from their opening five games of the campaign (W2 D2 L1) alongside Brentford in 2021-22 and Fulham in 2022-23 (both also eight).

Hear more from Le Bris on BBC Sounds

Hear reaction from Nick Barnes and Gary Bennett

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Sunderland's performance

What did you make of Aston Villa's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Sunderland make two changes to the side that started the goalless draw at Crystal Palace last weekend.

Chris Rigg makes his first league start of the season, while summer signing Enzo Le Fee also returns to the starting XI. Habib Diarra is injured and not involved, while Simon Adingra drops to the bench.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, Hume, Ballard, Alderete, Mandava, Rigg, Xhaka, Sadiki, Talbi, Isidor, Le Fee.

Youri Tielemans is not involved at all for Aston Villa.

Summer signing Evann Guessand returns to the starting XI, while Boubacar Kamara is also back in the starting XI.

Lamare Bogarde drops to the bench,

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Guessand, Kamara, McGinn, Rogers, Buendia, Watkins.

There are three games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

Bournemouth v Newcastle (14:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Sunderland v Aston Villa (14:00) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Arsenal v Manchester City (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times BST

Follow all of the action and reaction here to the 14:00 games here

And find Arsenal v Man City here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Sunderland v Aston Villa" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Man City", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

I haven't backed Sunderland to win yet this season and a few of their fans have been hammering me on social media because they have made a really good start.

But I'm not just going to back them to win for the sake of it, even against an Aston Villa side who are short of form and confidence and cannot even score a goal at the minute either.

Instead, I'm going to say that Villa will come good and Ollie Watkins will not just get his first goal of the season but he will also secure their first win too.

Apologies again to Sunderland fans for that, they can hammer me again this week if I'm wrong.

Sutton's prediction: 0-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Sunderland look to continue their impressive start to life back in the top-flight against goal-shy Aston Villa. BBC Sport takes a look at the key talking points going into this fixture.

Sunderland's tally of seven points from four matches is their joint best after four games of a Premier League season, while it has been 70 years since they last accrued more points at this stage of a top-flight campaign (assuming three points for a win).

Another victory would see them start a top-flight season with three straight home victories for the first time since 1965-66. Remarkably, it would also match their tally of victories at the Stadium of Light across the whole of their last Premier League campaign in 2016-17.

Although they failed to have a shot on target in their creditable goalless draw at Crystal Palace, they have scored five goals from just nine shots on target in league matches this season with only Arsenal (64%) converting a higher share than the Black Cats' 56%.

Matters at the other end of the pitch have been equally as encouraging, with two clean sheets in four games matching their tally in their previous 14 Premier League matches combined.

Crucial to that has been new signing Robin Roefs. The 22-year-old Dutch keeper has taken to the English top flight superbly and he prevented an expected 1.59 goals at Selhurst Park.

The dark clouds continue to form over Aston Villa after their EFL Cup exit on penalties at Brentford on Tuesday. They did at least find the back of the net for the first time this season, but their drought in the league stretches to 466 minutes and 49 shots.

For the first time in their history, they have failed to score in their opening four league games to a season. Failing to do so once again at the Stadium of Light would see them become just the third team in top-flight history to begin a campaign goalless in their first five league games, after Ipswich Town in 1970-71 and Crystal Palace in 2017-18.

Unai Emery's side have actually had more shots after four games than Sunderland, as well as Burnley, Nottingham Forest, Fulham, Brentford and Crystal Palace. Some of their attacking metrics are also up on their excellent 2024-25 campaign, but despite getting the ball into the box more often, things are just not clicking. Their xG of 2.97 is the second worst in the top flight.

Alex Fletcher
BBC Sport journalist

Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Aston Villa at Stadium of Light (kick-off 14:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Le Bris confirmed that Enzo le Fee and Dan Ballard are available for selection. However, Luke O'Nien remains "a few more weeks away" from full fitness.

• Le Bris said new signings Brian Brobbery and Bertrand Traore must "train with the team and get to know everyone". Then they can be considered for a starting spot based off the "strengths we'll need for this game".

• He likes that the summer arrivals have increased the competition upfront: "If we only play one striker, they will all fight for the position. Probably two of the three are able to play on the wings as well. Eli [Mayenda] and Wilson [Isidor] can play as a nine or on the wing as well, so we might need them to do that in different circumstances."

• He added that this is important for his side's progression: "Even if it's not always easy to accept, we need competition for places - that is the reality. They all need to push each other."

• In terms of points, he said he did not "want to fix a limit" in preparation for the next few games but that he liked "the mindset of the squad".

• While he acknowledged Villa's poor start to the season, Le Bris said his side would not "underestimate" their opponents.

• He added: "I don't know if it's the right time to play Villa. They're a strong team. They haven't started well - that's obvious - but they're a top-six team. If they are a bit weaker then maybe that's better for us. We won't get gifts from them, so we have to be at our best."

Full news conference available over here on BBC Sounds

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to full commentary of Sunderland v Aston Villa on BBC Radio 5 Live from 14:00 BST on Sunday

Image source, Getty Images

Regis le Bris was likely to take a pragmatic approach after promotion and "that's exactly what we've seen", believes Sunderland Echo journalist Phil Smith.

Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, Smith says the Black Cats' boss has learned from the experiences of other clubs and that has helped Sunderland make a solid start.

"I didn't think we'd see him make the same mistakes a lot of coaches make when they want to come up to the Premier League and prove a point," Smith said.

"Credit to the recruitment. They've targeted athletic players who can cope with the physicality of the Premier League. I felt we would be a well-organised team and have a good structure.

"I think that's what we've seen. It hasn't necessarily been sparkling -- we haven't necessarily been creating lots of chances.

"You can see there's been a lot of work gone in to trying to understand why the last six teams who have been promoted have gone straight back down again and I think that's why we've seen Sunderland be a lot more flexible in this transfer window.

"I'm not getting carried away I still think it's going to be tight and there's going to be some difficult days ahead but there's real fight in this team. I have a lot of trust that Le Bris will keep the team solid.

"They've got a good chance of staying up but I'm not changing my expectations, I still think this is going to be a tough season at times."

Listen to the full clip here

Image source, Getty Images

Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle about goalkeeper Robin Roefs' performance against Crystal Palace: "Palace had some chances and the goalkeeper did very well. He really impressed me, but they were all saves that you would have been disappointed if he conceded.

"He is very still - if you watch him, he is not one of these keepers that skips and jumps about when the ball is in motion. When the ball is going into a striker, he stays still so he can make his move when he's ready, when he sees the body angle of the striker or where he thinks the ball is going to go. He makes good reaction saves.

"It has been a great start for him. Defensively, the team are pretty solid. A fantastic start to the season and the fans must be delighted with how it is going. Everyone has attributed themselves really well."

Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

I do not think you will find too many Sunderland supporters that are disappointed with the performance and result that we got from our team at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Palace have not lost in 15 games now and it shows why when you see how well organised they are, both in and out of possession. They are going to do well this season, despite losing an important player in Eberechi Eze, and the fact that Sunderland gave as good as they got gives me immense confidence in where we appear to be heading.

There was a quote from Granit Xhaka doing the rounds on the club's social media the day before the game that I just can't get out of my head. "Back at it tomorrow. No excuses. We go for the win." Of course, we did not win, but that comment has really stuck with me because it reminded me that we have got a player in Xhaka who has only ever known what it feels like to win.

Indeed, he said upon arriving at Sunderland that he felt it necessary to experience struggle in his playing career if he is going to go on and become a coach one day - and that the standards have been raised considerably because of his presence in the side.

Much has been made about the relegations suffered by the past six promoted teams, but Sunderland do not seem to care about all of that and are not acting anything like a newly promoted team. At Palace we looked unbelievably organised, as we always have done under Regis Le Bris, but with a group of players who are not here to mess around.

There will not be many teams that go to Selhurst Park this season and get a clean sheet, never mind a draw, so I am delighted with how we played and how we achieved the result.

Palace had the better chances, but we invested in top defensive players to give ourselves the best chance of achieving results like this on the road. Nordi Mukiele looked every bit the quality of player you expect when you sign someone from Paris St-Germain, while Robin Roefs was imperious in goal and is already vindicating the decision to spend big money to bring him here. He is magnificent and it scares me that he is this good after just one season of senior football - how good is he going to be in a few years from now?

It is all good stuff. To be sat with seven points from four games, with two clean sheets to boot, is magnificent and is exactly the sort of start to life we needed in the Premier League to give ourselves a platform to kick on from here.

Find more from Gavin Henderson at Roker Report, external

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Crystal Palace and Sunderland.

Here are some of your comments:

Palace fans

Jerry: We had enough chances to win the game, but I was a little underwhelmed with our performance to be honest. We had our moments, but we were too slow from the back in our build-up play. We missed Ismaila Sarr and Adam Wharton. Two points lost.

Glen: I thought the players put in a decent shift and had enough good chances to win, however, the goalkeeper had a very good game. My concerns come from the manager's insistence in slogging the same players when on the bench we have some very good forwards. Saturday was dying for a winger to come on but did the usual changes, nothing against Justin Devenny but Romain Esse is what we needed.

Jason: Felt like a match we should have won, but in fairness to Sunderland they set up well to manage the match. We lacked a bit up front to really push on and win, so overall probably a fair result. Liked Christantus Uche and his impact, more to come!

Bob: We were unlucky not to win this game as we came closest to scoring. Yeremy Pino had a great first game at Selhurst Park but we missed Sarr and Wharton. Still unbeaten this season, so it's not all bad!

Sunderland fans

David: Excellent defensive performance and I'd have taken a point if offered before the game, so excellent result.

Charlie: Looked very comfortable first half and possibly had the best chance when Chemsdine Talbi tried to control the ball instead of hitting it first time. Robin Roefs was superb in the later stages and kept us in the game but we need a striker and Wilson Isidor is better coming off the bench. But another point and we look fine to me.

Scott: Great point away from home. Shame we couldn't snatch all three points. As long we keep picking up wins at the Stadium of Light, we will comfortably survive.

Paul: An important point that, being realistic, might be very important at the end of the season. We still haven't gelled as a team but seven points from the first 12 is a great start.