Aston Villa and Sunderland have both struggled to create clear goalscoring chances during the opening 45 minutes at Villa Park this afternoon.

Hosting Villa almost broke the deadlock within the opening minute when Gabriel Agbonlahor charged down a clearance from Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. The ball fell to Andreas Weimann, who sent a chipped effort towards goal. However, Mignolet retreated to atone for his earlier error.

Weimann again went close in the 27th minute when he beat three Sunderland defenders before drilling a shot into the side netting.

Martin O'Neill's Sunderland enjoyed large spells in possession during the half, but they failed to have a shot on target.

Their only meaningful effort fell to Nicklas Bendtner, but he headed over the bar from 10 yards out.