Aston Villa's Jack Grealish (R) in action against Crystal Palace's James McArthur. (Photo : Reuters)
Aston Villa FC (1-0-2, 3 points) will try to put a stop to its two-game losing streak as it faces lowly Sunderland AFC (0-1-2, 1 point) at their own Villa Park in Birmingham, West Midlands on Saturday, August 29.
The Lions lost two straight after winning their season opener against newly-promoted club AFC Bournemouth, 1-0. Tim Sherwood's men dropped two close ones against solid teams Manchester United, 0-1, and Crystal Palace, 1-2, via ESPN, since their opening day victory.
Villa hopes to go back in the win column in this encounter with a lighter opponent, Sunderland.
The Black Cats have yet to win their first game this season and they hope to achieve it against the Villans.
Dick Advocaat's squad lost its first two games against Leicester City, 2-4, and newcomer Norwich City, 1-3, giving up so many goals in the process, which puts into question their defense.
Finally, in their last match the Cats managed to force a 1-1 tie with Swansea City AFC at the Stadium of Light to earn a point in the standings, as reported by NBC Sports' Pro Soccer Talk.
While Sunderland still seems to be far from their best form, the Lions must show up prepared at home to ensure a victory over the Cats.
Prediction: A 2-1 win for Aston Villa. Advocaat's boys need to be more consistent on both ends of the field and play with a sense of urgency right from the start and for the whole duration of the match to have a shot at their first victory.
Aston Villa starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Guzan; Clark, Bacuna, Amavi, Richards; Westwood, Gueye, Sánchez; Gestede, Grealish, Agbonlahor
Sunderland starting lineup (4-1-4-1 formation): Pantilimon; Coates, Aanholt, Jones, O'Shea; M'Vila; Rodwell, Cattermole, Defoe, Lens; Graham
