'I'd bet they haven't had many tougher challenges than Sunderland'

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I hate losing, but I don't especially mind getting beaten if I can come away and say the lads gave their all and I think that we can say that without any doubt that they did on Sunday.

All three of Sunderland's goals were quality and it gave me a sense of pride when all three goalscorers were lads who came through the EFL with us and have successfully made the step up.

Chris Rigg's first-ever Premier League goal was a corker. I think he's really turned a corner recently and you can see the stark improvement in his all-round game in recent weeks. That was the finish of a proper top-level footballer in the making and the type of goal I've been wishing we'd see from him all season.

Similarly, Trai Hume's first goal in the top flight was a belting finish. He's got so much more in his locker than a tough tackle and this finish was proof of that - he absolutely spanked it past Emiliano Martinez, who is one of the best goalkeepers on the planet.

Then came the Wilson Isidor goal, which really ought to have earned us at least a point. Considering he's not scored since October, and has barely had a sniff recently, that was the finish of a player who is capable of performing at the top level if he's switched on and you give him the right kind of opportunities. It was typical Isidor - quick, alert, off the shoulder of the last man and an instinctive finish.

Aston Villa, a team that looks certain to finish in a Champions League spot, have so much quality. Right now, they're at a different level than us and there's no shame in losing to them. Yet this season, I'd bet they haven't had too many tougher challenges over the two games than Sunderland and I think that says a lot about how good we actually are.

Instead of dwelling on the negatives this week, I'm going to carry all of these positives forward as we head towards the Nottingham Forest game, because we know we're capable of taking three points and putting ourselves even closer to the teams above us and, importantly, those European places.

Find more from Gavin Henderson at Roker Report