Unai Emery responds to controversial Sunderland moment and unveils new Aston Villa 'worry'

Unai Emery marched down the tunnel 30 seconds before the full-time whistle as Aston Villa were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw away at 10-man Sunderland.

Villa’s Premier League goal drought is over thanks to Matty Cash’s long-range strike but the right-back’s pop shot was one of just two efforts on target the away side managed all afternoon at the Stadium of Light. That would have been underwhelming against an 11-man Sunderland, but it was embarrassing to muster up fewer total shots with a numerical advantage.

The wait for the first win of the season goes on after the draw on Wearside but it wasn’t the result that infuriated Emery most. Instead, it was his team not following his instructions and drifting away from the rigid structure he demands week in, week out.

“Frustrated and disappointed a little bit, but not with the result,” Emery began in his post-match press conference. “It should have been easier to take advantage, but we were not playing with our identity, with the ideas we have been building in the last three years.”

Villa were ‘lazy’ in Sunderland draw

It’s not often Emery will point the finger at his team, but he spoke very frankly on Sunday. “We were lazy sometimes, lazy,” Emery added. “The goal we conceded, we were lazy. Perhaps that’s because we didn’t play in our style. My worry is through how we are not feeling confident in getting our identity. I am missing it. We have to get confidence. Some players are not confident.

“Sometimes lazy when we are playing here away, we have to fight the duels, and we were not fighting all duels. I watched the goal we conceded and we were lazy. We were lazy, but all the team, not the centre-backs or Cash. We are lazy,” Emery insisted.

There’s no doubt Villa have looked a shadow of their former selves so far this season. Only a few months ago, the Villans proved to be the toughest opponents on Paris Saint-Germain’s route to the Champions League crown. Now they can’t even see of a newly promoted side with 10 men, with all due respect to Sunderland.

Emery responds amid supporters’ anger at what he did vs Sunderland

Emery certainly didn’t help himself or his side as he marched down the tunnel 30 seconds before full time. Those in the away end definitely noticed and as did the hordes of supporters watching on television. It wasn’t a good look, especially given the team's already dropping in confidence.

Villa’s manager was asked about this controversial moment and he alluded to the fact that it was Sunderland’s time wasting. “The last minute, there was 30 seconds and their goalkeeper was with the ball. He was usually using one minute to start the game. It was clear that the match was finishing,” Emery said.

Regardless of the thinking behind it, Emery charging off early surely doesn’t help matters. You can’t blame him for feeling frustrated, but storming down the tunnel only worsens matters.