Match Preview: Sunderland v Aston Villa

Who are we playing?
Sunderland

Where are we playing?
Stadium of Light, New Years Day 3pm

Can I go?
Tickets on general sale for £29 and kids for a quid.

Easy to get to?
Not on New Years Day, no. It's pigging miles away! Best bet is the coach for this one because you're unlikely to be fit to drive after your New Years Eve shenanigans.

Can I watch it live on the telly?
Not legally no. Naughty pubs or dodgy web streams are your best bet.

Big game?

Going downhill fast

Six pointer. We're right in the relegation dogfight now and this is a must win fixture. After two abject performances at Villa Park over Christmas from which we gleaned a solitary point, we're desperate to get anything from this game.

Do Sunderland have any famous fans?  
Well there's Paul McCartney's ex, the model and skier Heather Mills. At least we think there is. We couldn't find a picture of her wearing a Sunderland shirt so here's one of her not wearing one. She's got a Wearside accent and she always seems to look upset so she probably is a Sunderland fan.

Pike in his Villa scarf

We've got Private Pike from Dad's Army.

So we win.

Who's playing for us?
Clodhopping Ciaran Clark managed to pick up a yellow card against Swansea and is banned for this game.

Big Chris Benteke might be back after having knee treatment in Belgium while Ron Vlaar's calf continues to rule him out.

Who's playing for them?
Gus Poyet is sweating on the fitness of Fabio Borini, John O'Shea and Adam Johnson while Wes Brown is suspended.

Any useless stats?
Of course, here you go:

• After our initial meeting with Sunderland on Boxing Day 1890 finished goalless, a tradition of high scoring matches began, Sunderland winning the next encounter 5-1 and Villa gaining revenge the game after, running out 5-3 winners.

• We knocked Sunderland out en route to our 1993/94 Coca Cola Cup triumph, winning 4-1 at Roker Park, Dalian Atkinson scoring twice.

• Our last visit to the Stadium of Light was back in November 2012. Gabby Agbonlahor got the solitary goal.

• Brad Guzan was the hero in 2009 as we knocked the Mackems out of the Carling Cup. Brad saved a penalty during the match and three more in the shoot-out.

He said, She said...
"I've got a good relationship with Randy, but that doesn't mean I'm immune to it. I always have that fear. I always had that fear as a footballer and I always do when I'm the manager. I think you've got to have that." Paul Lambert

"We have a great group of players, they won’t accept defeat – to beat us you’re going to have to fight very very hard; we’re not giving up" Gus Poyet

Prediction
Going for a nil-nil draw here. Happy New Year.