Sunderland's search for their first win of the campaign goes on after they held Aston Villa to a 2-2 draw at Villa Park this afternoon.

The visitors took the lead through Yann M'Vila's free kick, but were pegged back by Scott Sinclair, who netted from the penalty spot.

Sinclair then grabbed his second of the game before a much-improved Sunderland levelled through Jeremain Lens after the restart.

Here, Sports Mole runs the rule over the players involved.

ASTON VILLA

Goal

Brad Guzan: (6/10) The American shot-stopper could do little with either goal. Yann M'Vila's free kick was a superb effort and Ciaran Clark left him exposed for Jeremain Lens's equaliser. Did well to thwart Steven Fletcher's header early into the second half.

Defence

Alan Hutton: (8/10) The Scottish right-back enjoyed an excellent first half and tormented Patrick van Aanholt down Sunderland's left-hand side. Was slightly more subdued second period, but the ex-Spurs man was one of Villa's best performers.

Micah Richards: (7/10) The defender is now a centre-back after spending most of career at right-back so far, and the ex-Manchester City man enjoyed a solid game at the heart of the defence. Collided with the post when cutting out a promising Sunderland attack in the second half. Perhaps should have scored to win the game though.

Ciaran Clark: (5/10) Richards was a dependable performer alongside Clark, but the defender did not enjoy the best of games. Lens skipped by him far too easily for Sunderland's equaliser.

Jordan Amavi: (7/10) The left-back enjoyed a good game throughout and went close with an effort in the second half after some skillful play to set up the chance. Crossed the ball for Sinclair's second. A good performance from the Villa defender.

Midfield

Ashley Westwood: (6/10) Typically energetic display from the Villa midifleder, but he will feel he could have won it late on when he pounced on Rudy Gestede's knock down inside the area.

Carlos Sanchez: (6/10) A solid performance from the Colombian, but he was another who should have done better with a chance. The central midfielder could only curl over the bar with his left foot inside the area.

Idrissa Gueye: (6/10) Gueye did well throughout, and provided a lot of energy in wide areas for the Villans. Went close in the first half with a decent opening.

Leandro Bacuna: (5/10) Fired tamely at goal when well placed in the first half and was eventually replaced for Carles Gil. His delivery wasn't up to usual standard.

Attack

Rudy Gestede: (7/10) A typically powerful display from the ex-Blackburn Rovers star. Will feel he could have won it late after rolling a defender on the edge of the box before dragging it wide. Villa were quick to try and utilise his aerial talents.

Scott Sinclair: (8/10) Excellent performance from Sinclair, as he turned in a two-goal display to carry on from his hat-trick in the League Cup in midweek. Rewarded his manager's faith with the goals, and he can expect to start against Leicester after the international break.

Substitutes

Carles Gil: (5/10) Was brought on to provide some creativity and was left red-faced when his dive earned him a yellow card inside the area. Should have been braver and tried to score.

SUNDERLAND

Goal

Costel Pantilimon: (6/10) A good performance from the Sunderland keeper, but was eventually booked for persistent time wasting late on.

Defence

Billy Jones: (6/10) Good performance from the ex-West Brom right-back. Villa targeted the left-side, but Jones turned in a dependable performance on the right side.

John O'Shea: (6/10)
Republic of Ireland defender could do little to stop Sinclair's second, but did well to contain Gestede throughout.

Younes Kaboul: (5/10) Kaboul was rolled too easily by Gestede late on and the error should have been a costly one. Will take some time before he fully beds into this Sunderland defence.

Patrick van Aanholt: (5/10) Was given a torrid first half by Hutton and the left-back was nowhere to be seen at times when the Villa man was marauding forward. Not one of his finest displays for the Black Cats.

Midfield

Yann M'Vila: (7/10) Curled in an excellent free kick from around 25 yards and provided the pass of the game for Jermain Defoe in the second period. The ex-France international arrives with a chequered past, but he could be an inspired signing for the club.

Lee Cattermole: (4/10) He will want to forget this game. The midfielder was poor throughout the first half, conceded a penalty and was subbed at the break.

Jack Rodwell: (6/10) A quiet game for the ex-Everton youngster.

Jeremain Lens: (8/10) Took his goal superbly and was a threat in the second half as Sunderland began to improve after the restart. The ex-PSV man could be an important player for the club this season.

Attack

Jermain Defoe: (6/10) Not his best game, but the striker is always a threat. Was played in brilliantly by M'Vila in the second half and a better first touch would have put him one on one with Guzan, but Defoe will be a big player this term.

Danny Graham: (5/10) A subdued display from Graham, and the forward's hard times go on. Has looked a shadow of the player who turned out for Swansea from 2011-2013. Was swapped at the break for Steven Fletcher.

Substitutes

Ola Toivonen: (7/10) Sweden international was introduced from the bench at half time and his arrival coincided with a much-improved display. Fed Lens for the equaliser. A good start from the Swede.

Sebastian Larsson: (7/10) Arrival gave Sunderland a better balance in midfield. A good cameo.

Steven Fletcher: (7/10) Should have started ahead of Graham, and Scot laid down a marker for his inclusion after the international break. Tested Guzan on a couple of occasions. Arrival helped give the visitors more bite up top.