Talking Points: Villa Victorious But Sunderland Show Their Spirit

“**For Brazil he should commentate**”

Alterations to Villa Park will hopefully bring some better results for the Lads as our recent record in front of the Holte End isn’t the best, even though a last-gasp win did feel possible for a tantalisingly brief moment this weekend. There have been one or two highlights admittedly, but I can recall a visit there at the end of the 2005/2006 season — where Sunderland’s dismal campaign ended with yet another defeat — that was lightened only partially by a late Danny Collins consolation. Sunderland’s fortunes have fluctuated wildly since then and at times it’s felt like a very long road back, so to be going into this latest game with a credible chance of getting something from a side with expectations of Champions League qualification shows just how vast the improvement has been of late. Collins himself has had a lifetime worth of experiences since his goal, going from a dependable defender to a measured and well-informed media voice. He’s enjoyed a swift rise from giving us his popular in-house analysis for the Lads during the Football League days, and spent his Saturday afternoon acting as a co-commentator on *BBC Five Live Sports Extra’s* coverage of Newcastle United v Bournemouth. Hopefully he’ll be back at the Stadium of Light soon, and with any luck will get to broadcast the brighter days ahead that we’re all wishing for.

Sunderland challenge strongly but ultimately fall short

Two sections done already, and our readers can probably tell that part of me is keen to avoid writing about the game itself at all — partly because I’ve struggled to quite know what to make of it, and partly because the nature of the loss has floored me. Some of Sunderland’s play was superb but on the other hand, there were times when we looked more vulnerable than ever, but that was through our own failings more than anything else, and that feels like the main takeaway. To push the fourth best team in the land so much and come away feeling anything but outclassed takes some doing and the team should be proud of the battle and skill shown, but will be painfully aware too that they beat themselves in the end. That in itself could be considered as either a good or bad thing, but with feelings still raw so close to full time, it’ll be some time yet before we fully process the events.

Rest, recover…and respond!

One way this game can be contextualised is by seeing what happens against Nottingham Forest next time out, and then in the weeks that follow. If the players feel sorry for themselves and dwell on the Aston Villa defeat, they could very easily undo some of the hard work that’s taken them so far this season; keep the same expansive mindset that saw them score three against one of the tightest defences in the league however, and a strong finish is still very achievable. If the side can be a little sharper in certain situations at the back then more points will surely follow, and against sides at both ends of the table.

**The Lads on the mark**

The game might get remembered for a dramatic late miss/save, but when Sunderland did find the back of the net the goals were notable — and not just because of the quality finishes. Chris Rigg has stepped up recently and found new levels, and his first Premier League goal looks like it’ll be the first of many. Trai Hume also got his first Premier League goal and it was just reward for his fantastic attitude and dedication to the group all year whilst Wilson Isidor, starved of minutes lately, reminded us that he’s capable of top-level instinct. All three have been a big part of the club’s progress and on another day their strikes, would’ve been even more special.

**One for the neutrals**

It may be cold comfort without any points to go with it and the dull ache of a last-gasp heartache, but anybody that watched on without skin in the game will have surely enjoyed the level of entertainment that was served up by the two teams. There were no controversies and little in the way of histrionics, but there was instead plenty of goalmouth action and intrigue. Both sides looked keen to play football, and both sides will have impressed the neutrals, proving that Sunderland are no longer whipping boys or also rans but are serious top flight operators with some exciting times potentially ahead of them.