Jeff Stelling predicts Sunderland vs Aston Villa

As Sunderland prepare to welcome Aston Villa to the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon, broadcaster Jeff Stelling has weighed in with his prediction — and he’s backing the Black Cats to continue their solid start to the Premier League season with a resilient draw.

Sunderland’s Steady Momentum

Under head coach Régis Le Bris, Sunderland have made an encouraging return to the top flight, collecting seven points from their first four matches. Their most recent outing saw them grind out a 0–0 draw away at Crystal Palace, a result that extended their unbeaten home record following wins over West Ham and Brentford.

Le Bris praised his side’s defensive unity after the Palace stalemate:

“We were able to work together, to defend together, to make saves, to block the balls, and I think it's an important part of the performance.”

The Frenchman acknowledged the challenge posed by Palace’s direct style and set-piece threat, but was pleased with how his team adapted and held firm.

Villa’s Goal Drought Continues

In stark contrast, Aston Villa arrive in Wearside still searching for their first league goal of the season. Unai Emery’s side have drawn two and lost two of their opening fixtures, leaving them 19th in the table. Their attacking woes were compounded by a Carabao Cup exit on penalties to Brentford earlier this week.

Stelling, speaking on talkSPORT, highlighted Villa’s alarming lack of firepower:

“Villa are the only team in the top seven leagues in England without a goal so far. In fact, in their last game at Everton, they managed just one shot on target.”

Despite acknowledging Sunderland’s own attacking limitations — they failed to register a shot on target against Palace — Stelling believes the Black Cats’ defensive resilience will be enough to secure a point:

“Villa are bound to come good eventually. If Sunderland are to get anything from this, I feel they have to be resilient once again. If they are, and I think they will be, I see this ending goalless. I'm going Sunderland 0-0 Aston Villa.”