A tight first half at the Stadium of Light has ended goalless between Sunderland and Aston Villa.
Christian Benteke has kept out Darren Bent with his recent good form but the striker uncharacteristically headed wide from an early corner despite being unmarked.
Villa started to dominate possession midway through the first period and Gabriel Agbonlahor was unlucky to see his deflected shot loop over the crossbar.
The visitors looked the most likely to score before the break but Sunderland nearly broke the deadlock with a rare opportunity, although Craig Gardner curled his effort wide of Brad Guzan's post.
Sunderland finished the half as the better side and were inches away from taking a lead into the interval when Lee Cattermole fired over from the edge of the area.
