Sunderland can do something they’ve never done in Premier League with win vs Aston Villa
Sunderland supporters can dream of survival after a promising start to the Premier League season.
Regis Le Bris’ men held Crystal Palace to a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park last time out, meaning they now have seven points from their opening four games.
Sunderland face Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, with Unai Emery’s side chasing their first win of the campaign.
Indeed, if the Black Cats manage to beat the Villans, then they will do something they have yet to achieve in the Premier League era.
Sunderland could win a third successive Premier League home game
Le Bris may decide to rotate his Sunderland attack against Villa, but is expected to make minimal changes.
Wilson Isidor was given a rare start against Palace, but was unable to make an impact in place of Eliezer Mayenda.
Indeed, the Wearsiders will need to produce a better quality of chances if they are to cause Emery’s side problems.
As for the West Midlands outfit, they are yet to score a league goal and have looked a shadow of the team that impressed so much last season.
If Sunderland secure all three points, then it will be the first time that they have ever won the opening three home games of a Premier League campaign.
Read more: Sunderland handed major possible injury boost ahead of Aston Villa clash
Have the Black Cats come close to the achievement in the Premier League?
Given how atrocious the Black Cats were when they were previously in the top flight, a win was something of a miracle, let alone three victories on the bounce.
However, in the late 90s, Sunderland were a much more formidable outfit when Peter Reid was at the helm.
Indeed, in the 1999/00 season, the Wearside club kicked off their campaign with a win over Arsenal.
Reid then followed up that impressive result with a home draw against West Ham and a win over Derby County.
- 19 August 2000: Sunderland 1-0 Arsenal
- 5 September 2000: Sunderland 1-1 West Ham
- 16 September 2000: Sunderland 2-1 Derby
Remarkably, Sunderland did not suffer a home defeat that season until Man United narrowly beat them 1-0 at the end of January.
If Le Bris’ side can go anywhere near that long without a home defeat, then they would surely secure their status in the Premier League.
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