Match Preview: Aston Villa Vs Sunderland

"I suppose supporting Sunderland nowadays is rather like following the Villa. We’ve both spent the past few years flirting with relegation, while our respective glory days came a long time ago. We both have relatively large grounds, yet they only really come close to full capacity when Manchester United or our local rivals come to town. When I think about it for too long, it does actually get quite depressing. Until, of course, I remember how many quality players we’ve bought this summer. And who our manager is, and where West Brom are sitting in the table, the list goes on.

Rewind twelve months, and most Villa fans were predicting another season of doom, gloom and misery. Paul Lambert (remember him?) was in charge, our most expensive summer signing had cost less than six million pounds and our superstar striker was permanently injured. In the end, despite a strong late - season run, we finished one place above the relegation zone. Major work was needed during the summer, and this is just what we got.

Micah Richards, Jordan Amavi, Idrissa Gueye, Jordan Ayew, Adama Traore and Rudy Gestede have all joined the club. Key young players have been tied down on new contracts. Benteke and Delph may have left, but such has been the extravagant manner in which we’ve gone about our business it doesn’t look like we’ll overly miss them. In fact, you could argue that we don’t really need them.

So on to Saturday. You always provide tricky opposition at Villa Park, and it would be typical of us to lose a game that most would have us down for winning. I don’t predict a tight, uneventful game, though. In fact, I think both teams will give it a good go, with a few goals thrown in for good measure. We can but hope!

Enjoy your season (apart from when you’re playing us, obviously).