(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)
Match

Sunderland can do something they've never done in Premier League with win vs Aston Villa

Alex Charlton
Alex Charlton

Alex is a lifelong Sunderland supporter who's been reporting on Mackem News since April 2025. Indeed, he started working for Breaking Media in April and has since graduated from St Mary's University as a NCTJ Gold Standard-accredited journalist, having completed his Master's degree in Sports Journalism. Alex previously worked for Football League World and has featured on the Roker Report, providing his opinion on all things Sunderland. While getting to the games is tricky, given his job, one of the highlights of his life was watching (and crying) as the Black Cats defeated Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium last season.

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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.

Regis Le Bris watches his Sunderland side in action
The Frenchman will be pleased with how his new signings have adapted (Credit: Imago)

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

Wilson Isidor points to the Sunderland badge in front of supporters.
Will Isidor lead the line? (Credit: Imago)

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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