Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood has attempted to play down the importance of his side's fixture with Sunderland.

Both teams have struggled for points during the opening three games of the season, and while Sherwood views it as an "important game", he has insisted that it will not be pivotal in regards to their fate in May.

The 46-year-old is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "It is an important game but I am not sure it is a landmark. The team got 10 points from four games last season and ended up struggling.

"It is not how you start, it is how you finish - and how you perform in the middle would help. We want to take the game to Sunderland. They will sit deep and look to bring us on and we will certainly be coming on to them."

Villa currently sit in 14th position in the league standings, with Sunderland one place off the bottom in 19th spot.