'We believe in ourselves and we believe in each other' – Sadiki praises Sunderland mentality

Noah Sadiki was waxy lyrical about Sunderland’s mentality after they rescued a point against Aston Villa despite going down to 10 men.

A stunning strike from Matty Cash gave Villa the lead at the Stadium of Light after Reinildo Mandava's sending off, but Wilson Isidor secured a draw with 15 minutes to go.

The Black Cats are now seventh in the Premier League, just two points off the top four after five games.

Ahead of their next match against Nottingham Forest, Sadiki believes Sunderland’s mentality and belief in one another can help them achieve great heights this season.

"It's a big, big point for us at home as well with the crowd behind us," said Sadiki when reflecting on the Villa result.

"We were down a player, but we showed great mentality and we never gave up. We have a strong mentality and even with 10 men we wanted to press, even though it was tough at times.

"We believe in ourselves and we believe in each other. The supporters were with us and pushing us all the way, and I’m sure they will continue to do so this season."

Forest are still searching for their first win under Ange Postecoglou after they fell to a late draw in their Europa League opener against Real Betis.

They have now drawn back-to-back matches, but midfielder Elliot Anderson believes their stalemate against Betis shows they are on the right track.

He told TNT Sports: "It's definitely a point gained.

"I think being in front is disappointing to concede late but as the manager said to come away in Europe and almost dominate games is a really positive thing and we've come on a lot in the last 10 days or so.

"We are happy with the way we played it's just trying to manage the game to win the three points.

"We were a little bit sloppy in the second half but we're a lot better in the last 10 days, it's coming."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nottingham Forest – Igor Jesus

Chris Wood has failed to score since Forest's opening win against Brentford, and Igor Jesus could be in line to start against Sunderland.

The Brazilian scored a brace against Betis, becoming the first player to score twice on their major European competition debut for Forest.

Sunderland – Wilson Isidor

Wilson Isidor has scored three of Sunderland's six goals in the Premier League this season.

It's the most goals a player has scored in the Black Cats’ first five games of a top-flight campaign since Steven Fletcher in 2012-13 (five).

MATCH PREDICTION – NOTTINGHAM FOREST WIN

This will be the first Premier League meeting between Forest and Sunderland since the 1996-97 season, when the Tricky Trees lost 4-1 at home and drew 1-1 away that campaign.

Indeed, 80% of Forest's Premier League goals this season have come in the first half, the highest ratio of any side (four from five). Meanwhile, only West Ham United (nine) have conceded more second half goals than the Tricky Trees (six).

Sunderland, on the other hand, are one of just two sides yet to score in the first half of their Premier League games this season, along with Villa. However, only league leaders Liverpool (seven) have netted more goals in the second half of games than the Black Cats (six).

Forest have lost four of their last six Premier League home games (W1 D1), including a 3-0 loss to West Ham last time out. It's as many defeats as they'd suffered in their previous 20 at the City Ground (W10 D6).

Sunderland have won five of their last seven league games against Forest (L2), with this their first since a 1-0 Championship victory in December 2017 under Chris Coleman.

The Black Cats have eight points from their five Premier League games so far this season (W2 D2 L1) – only in 2009-10 (9) have they ever had more at this stage of a campaign in the competition.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Nottingham Forest – 61.5%

Draw – 20.3%

Sunderland – 18.2%