Premier League: Sunderland v Aston Villa match preview

A look ahead to the New Year's Day clash at the Stadium of Light

Gus Poyet’s Sunderland are currently bottom of the Premier League

Aston Villa will travel to the Stadium of Light on New Year's Day to face Gus Poyet’s men hoping to get 2014 off to a flying start.

Sunderland meanwhile, will look for a win against the Midlanders to crawl up from bottom place in the league table.

After a disappointing performance this season, the Black Cats managed to break even with a 2-2 draw against Cardiff City last Saturday – their relentless pressure finally paying off against a managerless team.

KICK-OFF: New Year's Day, 3pm

Aston Villa 0 Sunderland 0, Premier League, November 2013

Aston Villa 6 (Vlaar, Weimann Benteke 3, Agbonlahor) Sunderland 1 (Rose), Premier League, April 2013

Sunderland 0 Aston Villa 1 (Agbonlahor), Premier League, November 2012

STATS…

Villa’s average 42 percent possession rate this season is the second worst in the division.

Sunderland are unbeaten in four matches in the division since losing 2-1 at home to Tottenham on 7 December. This is their best unbeaten run in the league since August-September 2012, when they went five unbeaten.

ODDS…

Sunderland to win: 2.1

Aston Villa to win: 3.4

Draw: 3.3

TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.30pm.