Sunderland’s gritty 1–1 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday earned high praise from Sky Sports pundits Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher, who both agreed the Black Cats were fully deserving of their point — despite playing more than an hour with ten men.
The match at the Stadium of Light saw Sunderland reduced to ten players in the 35th minute after Reinildo was sent off for an off-the-ball incident involving Matty Cash. Yet, Regis Le Bris’ side showed remarkable resilience, fighting back from a goal down to snatch a draw thanks to Wilson Isidor’s composed finish.
Carragher: “Villa Didn’t Deserve to Win”
Carragher was critical of Aston Villa’s inability to capitalize on their numerical advantage, pointing to a lack of creativity and urgency in their play.
“Watkins has got to score at the end,” Carragher said. “They had the extra man against a promoted team but they were nowhere near good enough. I don’t think Aston Villa deserved to win the game.”
He also praised Sunderland’s competitiveness, noting that all three promoted sides — Sunderland, Leeds, and Burnley — have shown they belong in the Premier League this season.
Keane: “Sunderland Reacted Fantastically Well”
Former Sunderland manager Roy Keane was equally impressed by the home side’s response to adversity.
“Sunderland reacted fantastically well,” Keane said. “They’ve got strength and power. That little touch from Xhaka, that experience… and the striker’s finish. Lovely finish. Well deserved from Sunderland, it was a great effort.”
Keane highlighted the leadership of Granit Xhaka and the clinical nature of Isidor’s goal, which came after a clever headed pass from the Swiss midfielder.
Richards: “Villa Were Miles Off It”
Micah Richards joined the chorus of criticism aimed at Villa, describing their performance as sluggish and uninspired.
“They need more, everything was too slow,” Richards said. “I thought they’d pick up the tempo in the second half and it just wasn’t there. Something isn’t right.”
Reinildo Red Card: Right Call, Say Pundits
The panel also weighed in on Reinildo’s dismissal, agreeing that while the contact was minimal, the decision was correct.
“Cash probably makes a bit of a meal of it,” Keane admitted. “But you give a referee the chance to send you off — he’s kicked out.”
Richards echoed the sentiment:
“It’s the right decision. You can’t react like that. He knows better than that, he’s experienced.”
Sunderland’s Statement of Intent
With eight points from five matches, Sunderland continue to defy expectations in their return to the Premier League. Their ability to dig deep, even when down to ten men, has earned them respect — and results.
As Keane and Carragher agreed, this was no fluke. It was a deserved point, and a sign that Sunderland are here to compete.
