Unai Emery's Aston Villa plan in danger of unravelling ahead of Sunderland clash

A journey to Sunderland's Stadium of Light will put Aston Villa's character to the test this weekend with the recently-promoted Black Cats having more than held their ground during the opening month of the campaign, amassing seven points from a possible 12 and securing victory in both of their initial home fixtures.

Villa, by contrast, are yet to find the back of the net in league action this term and have appeared fragile defensively, despite managing a pair of clean sheets.

Unai Emery’s side travelled to Everton after the September international break hoping to kick-start their season, but failed to do so.

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If Villa don't to win in the North East on Sunday, they could find themselves as many as nine points adrift of the top five - just five league games into the season.

Emery partially blamed Villa’s poor start on uncertainty surrounding several players in his squad, including Emi Martinez.

Speaking after the 3–0 defeat to Crystal Palace - the final game before the international break - Emery said: “I'm confident we'll start again after the break with new energy and full focus.”

On another day, Villa might have lost at Everton, given the chances Beto and Michael Keane squandered at either end of the match.

And while Villa showed some signs of improvement against Brentford in the Carabao Cup, they still failed to beat a Bees side that Keith Andrews rotated heavily, making 10 changes.

Villa’s trip to Sunderland may prove to be either the turning point that kick-starts their season - or the lowest ebb of Emery’s tenure so far.

Sunderland will sense an opportunity to pounce, backed by a vocal home crowd. Emery’s side must not only match the fight their hosts are sure to show but also produce the kind of football we’ve not seen since before the final day of last season.

Emery’s plan to reset after the transfer window and international break made sense, but football is a results business - and the confidence he placed in his squad to refocus is now truly being put to the test.

Responding "with new energy" is not what we've seen from Villa in the early games since domestic football resumed, though Emery insists he has noticed improvements within his squad.

The shock of Villa’s poor start appears to have crept into the dressing room, denting the confidence of Emery’s players.

Sunderland, buoyed by their strong home form, will be quick to capitalise on any signs of pressure or fragility in the Villa ranks this weekend.

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