Against Villa, Sunderland showed their mettle in the face of adversity

When Sunderland added Reinildo to the ranks on a free transfer from Atlético Madrid during the summer, it felt like a very shrewd move as we sought to build a side that was fit for the Premier League, and I was of the opinion that the Mozambique international wouldn’t have made over one hundred appearances for a Diego Simeone-coached side unless he possessed a wholehearted approach to the game and a warrior-like spirit.

However, with those traits can come an unfortunate propensity to ‘see red’ when things get heated.

Simeone embodies that as a manager following a playing career that saw him become public enemy number one following that incident with David Beckham at the 1998 World Cup, and when the experienced left back was dismissed for violent conduct following a first-half tangle with Aston Villa’s Matty Cash, it was a rare blot on an otherwise spotless copybook following a hugely impressive start to life on Wearside.

Once VAR intervened, there was only ever going to be one outcome and as he trudged off, it left Sunderland in a tough position and potentially on the verge of a messy afternoon with sixty minutes left to play against a Villa side experiencing a peculiarly slow start to the 2025/2026 season under the guidance of Unai Emery.

Thankfully, such incidents can often inspire rather than crush a team, and if we needed further evidence that this is a Sunderland squad with fortitude in abundance and the ability to dig out results from difficult positions, we got it. With 40,000+ fans needing something to give them hope, the decision was simple: either fold or fight, and fortunately, we chose the latter.

That it was Cash who opened the scoring for the visitors — rifling a shot past a seemingly wrong-footed Robin Roefs — felt like a classic sucker punch, but just as we kept Crystal Palace at bay last time out, we were able to summon the energy to haul ourselves back into the game and secure a share of the spoils thanks to a smart finish from Wilson Isidor.

Once again — and with the odds stacked against us — we looked entirely at ease as a Premier League outfit.

Even with ten men, we showed tremendous attacking intent and maturity, and the fitness levels on display — perhaps best embodied by tireless displays from Chemsdine Talbi and Noah Sadiki — continue to catch the eye. Habib Diarra’s injury might’ve set nerves jangling ahead of kick off, but as we so often so under Régis Le Bris, we regrouped, readjusted, and were excellent value for a point.

Looking at the bigger picture, the point gained felt just as significant as what it was worth in terms of the league table.

Just as we emerged from the Selhurst Park pressure cooker having banked a point against last season’s FA Cup champions, this heartening result against a side who mixed it with the European elite during the 2024/2025 Champions League and can boast quality players all over the park was further proof that we’re most definitely on the right track and can hold our nerve even when things appear to be going against us.

Unlike many promoted sides in recent years, there’s no meekness about this Sunderland team; no sense of being overawed or merely being ‘here for the ride’. Le Bris is far too driven and hungry for success to let that happen, and it’s increasingly clear that his players are as well.

With Granit Xhaka doing what he does so well and Omar Alderete, Trai Hume and Nordi Mukiele seemingly relishing the challenge of helping their side to a share of the spoils, our intentions are clear: we’re here to compete, to add value to the league, and to hopefully continue to develop as a side.

Last time out at home, we rallied from a goal down against Brentford, turning the tide and emerging as 2-1 winners. Perhaps such an outcome always felt a little bit beyond us on this occasion, but to play for two-thirds of game and emerge with a point to show for another feisty display? I’ll take that every day of the week and twice on this particular Sunday.

Reinildo might’ve overstepped the mark, but his teammates — doubtless eager to make sure that his moment of carelessness didn’t prove costly — ensured we made ours yet again. Another step forward, without a doubt.