Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert greets Sunderland manager Gus Poyet before the start of the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Sunderland at Villa Park on November 30, 2013 © Getty Images

Villa showed the most enterprise in the early stages as Fabian Delph crossed for Gabriel Agbonlahor, but the striker headed wide of the post.

Agbonlahor was in the mix of things again as he was found by Andreas Weimann just outside the box, but the striker's long-range effort was kept out.

Christian Benteke was presented with a great opportunity in the 29th minute, but the Belgium striker blazed his effort over with only the keeper in his path.

Sebastian Larsson threatened for Sunderland just before half time as he smashed a right-footed shot across the face of goal, with the ball creeping just wide of the far post.

Sunderland should have gone 1-0 ahead five minutes before the interval, but Emanuele Giaccherini somehow managed to put the ball over the bar with the goal gaping only a yard or so in front of him.

Emanuele Giaccherini of Sunderland fails to score from close range during the Barclays Premier League match between Aston Villa and Sunderland at Villa Park on November 30, 2013 © Getty Images

Ashley Westwood almost put Villa in front after half time, but his right-footed shot from outside the box was saved by Vito Mannone.

Sunderland managed to earn themselves a direct free kick just outside the box, but the chance was wasted as Craig Gardner crashed the ball over the bar.

Giaccherini looked to make up for his earlier howler as he crossed for Fabio Borini whose headed effort was saved by Mannone in the centre of goal.

The game's final chance fell to Villa's Delph, who couldn't find the net having been played in by Westwood with only a few minutes remaining.