Darren Bent will be the centre of attention as he returns to the Stadium of Light for the first time since he left for Aston Villa.
Black Cats hope for second successive win, while Villa first away
Darren Bent will be the centre of attention on Saturday as he will feature against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light for the first time since he left for Aston Villa in January.
The England international striker played for the Black Cats for 18 months before submitting a transfer request prior to his move to Villa, where he has continued his good run of form.
While Sunderland would be looking to bag a win to increase the gap between themselves and the bottom three, Villa will aspire to move into the top half of the table with their first away victory of the league campaign.
Sunderland will head into their fifth home league fixture of the season on the back of a morale-boosting 2-0 away win against Bolton Wanderers last weekend.
Goals from Stephane Sessegnon and Nicklas Bendtner in the last 10 minutes at the Reebok Stadium saw Steve Bruce's side pick up only their second victory this campaign.
The win was their first in four attempts and saw the Black Cats rise to 14th in the table with nine points from as many matches. Sunderland finished 10th in the Premier League in 2010/11 and they will hope to at least maintain that position, meaning that winning games at home would be imperative.
However, Sunderland's recent record at the Stadium of Light is not too encouraging. The last match in front of their own supporters ended in a 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion, and the Wearside club have won just two of their last 12 league matches at home.
Aston Villa are not in very good form either. Alex McLeish's side have registered just one victory in their last seven Premier League games and have yet to win away from home this campaign.
Stationed in 11th position at the moment with 11 points from nine matches, the Villans will hope to pick up maximum points at Sunderland and kickstart their season.
That would be easier said than done, though, as McLeish's team will head into Saturday's encounter on the back of a 2-1 home loss to West Brom.
Bent gave Villa the lead from the penalty spot on 23 minutes, but goals from Jonas Olsson and Paul Scharner secured the Baggies their first away win against Villa for 32 years.
Villa would be further hindered by history in their quest for an away victory as they have won just four of their last 24 Premier League away games, losing 12 and drawing the other eight.
Team news
Bruce is unlikely to alter the team that defeated Bolton last weekend as he has no suspension or injury worries.
A 4-4-2 formation will see Bendtner start alongside Connor Wickham in attack, with Sessegnon and Sebastian Larsson on the flanks; David Vaughan and Jack Colback will start in central midfield.
Villa have been boosted by the recovery of right-back Alan Hutton from a head injury and McLeish is likely to field him in his starting line-up.
Midfielder Jermaine Jenas too has regained his fitness and is set to be given a place on the bench, and if he comes on, then it would be his debut this campaign.
Fellow midfielder Chris Herd has been passed eligible to play against Sunderland after his red card against West Brom was rescinded.
Youngster Barry Bannan is out of contention as he has been suspended by the club after being arrested and subsequently bailed on suspicion of drink-driving last Sunday.
Possible starting XIs
Sunderland: Mignolet, O'Shea, Turner, Brown, Richardson, Larsson, Colback, Vaughan, Sessegnon, Wickham, Bendtner
Aston Villa: Given, Hutton, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Herd, Petrov, Ireland, N'Zogbia, Agbonlahor, Bent
