Wilson Isidor’s third goal of the Premier League season kept Sunderland unbeaten at the Stadium of Light since their return to the top flight with a draw against winless Aston Villa.
Forward Isidor struck first time from Granit Xhaka’s deft header in the 67th minute, pouncing eight minutes after Matty Cash scored Villa’s first league goal since May 16 with a long-range drive.
Wilson Idisior stamps his name on the scoresheet! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SodoOTi14s
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 21, 2025
Sunderland left-back Reinildo was sent off in the 33rd minute for kicking out at Cash after both players went to ground.
Referee Sam Barrott sends off Mandava and Sunderland are down to 10 players! 🟥 pic.twitter.com/3gweXzqm22
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) September 21, 2025
You can relive 101GreatGoals.com’s live updates from Sunderland vs Aston Villa. The seventh-placed Black Cats are next in action away to Nottingham Forest on Saturday (17:30 BST), while third-bottom Villa host Bologna in their Europa League opener on Thursday (20:00).
Sunderland vs Villa: Isidor is the hero
Despite having under 29% of possession, Sunderland looked the likelier to score after Reinildo became the first Mozambican to see red in the Premier League.
Villa lacked inspiration until Cash, who scored two goals in two matches for Poland in September, opened the scoring in spectacular fashion from a central position, although Sunderland quickly showed their spirit and resilience to reply through Isidor after Xhaka’s clever assist.
The visitors improved late on and might have scored an added-time winner but for Ollie Watkins’ uncharacteristic lack of ruthlessness from Jadon Sancho’s cross.
Sancho’s fellow substitute, Harvey Elliott, sent a shot wide in the 85th minute but Villa, who host Fulham on Sunday (14:00), remain the only Premier League team to have scored fewer than three goals.
Sunderland team vs Aston Villa
Defender Dan Ballard was on the bench and playmaker Enzo Le Fee started as the pair return for Sunderland following injuries.
Chris Rigg made his first league start of the season in midfield, where Habib Diarra missed out through injury. Winger Simon Adingra dropped to the bench.
Defenders Leo Hjelde, Aji Alese and Dennis Cirkin, midfielder Luke O’Nien and winger Romaine Mundle remained out.
Sunderland starting XI: Robin Roefs, Trai Hume, Nordi Mukiele, Omar Alderete, Reinildo Mandava, Chris Rigg, Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi, Wilson Isidor, Enzo Le Fee
Sunderland substitutes: Anthony Patterson, Dan Neil, Dan Ballard, Lutsharel Geertruida, Brian Brobbey, Eliezer Mayenda, Simon Adingra, Bertrand Traore, Arthur Masuaku
Villa team vs Sunderland
Midfielders Amadou Onana, Ross Barkley and Youri Tielemans and wideman Andres Garcia remained out for Villa through injury but defender Victor Lindelof returned on the bench.
Midfielder Boubacar Kamara and new forward Evann Guessand started, with Netherlands Under-21 international Lamare Bogarde on the bench.
Aston Villa starting XI: Emiliano Martinez, Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne, Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn, Evann Guessand, Morgan Rogers, Emiliano Buendia, Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa substitutes: Marco Bizot, Victor Lindelof, Harvey Elliott, Pau Torres, Donyell Malen, Jadon Sancho, Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba, Ian Maatsen, Lamare Bogarde
