Isidor strikes late to preserve Black Cats’ unbeaten home record.
SUNDERLAND, England – Ten-man Sunderland battled back to earn a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, with Wilson Isidor’s second-half equaliser ensuring the hosts maintained their unbeaten Premier League home record.
The contest began evenly, with Sunderland threatening most in the early stages. Isidor had three efforts in quick succession, heading wide from Chemsdine Talbi’s cross, seeing another strike deflected into Emiliano Martínez’s gloves, and then denied by Ezri Konsa. Omar Alderete also tested the Villa keeper with a header from a long throw, as the hosts kept the visitors pinned back.
Villa’s first meaningful opening came after 27 minutes, when Morgan Rogers found Evann Guessand in the box, only for the forward to fire straight at Robin Roefs. Sunderland’s momentum was then checked by a moment of ill-discipline: Reinildo Mandava was dismissed for kicking out at Matty Cash after being fouled by the right-back. Coach Régis Le Bris reorganised into a back five, and Sunderland survived until the break, though Emiliano Buendía wasted a chance by firing over after Roefs spilled a cross.
The visitors pressed after halftime and were rewarded just before the hour. Cash let fly from distance and Roefs failed to deal with the speculative effort, gifting Villa their first league goal of the season. But Sunderland responded swiftly. Granit Xhaka rose to nod the ball into the path of Isidor, who lashed home an assured finish to level the match nine minutes later.
Villa pushed for a winner, with Harvey Elliott’s first-time strike drifting just wide and Ollie Watkins miscuing a header from close range, but Sunderland held firm. The result means Emery’s side remain winless this season and in the relegation zone, while the Black Cats continue their unbeaten start at home under Le Bris.
Player of the Match: Wilson Isidor
The French striker was a constant threat throughout and capped his performance with a clinical equaliser that salvaged a point for Sunderland.