Le Bris praises team-spirit as ten-men Black Cats fight back to draw with Aston Villa | OneFootball

Regis Le Bris hailed Sunderland’s team-spirit as the ten-men Black Cats fought back to draw 1-1 with Aston Villa.

Sunderland dominated early proceedings but a red card for Reinildo Mandava in the 33rd minute saw their control cut short.

“The red card changed the whole dynamic,” said Le Bris, adding: “We have to respect the decision, Mandava will be punished because he won’t play.”

“I really liked the reaction once we conceded, it could’ve been the end of the game but we didn’t give up,” Le Bris replied when asked about what had pleased him from his team’s performance. He added: “We always want to chase victory, when it’s possible to win points, do it.”

Wilson Isidor scored Sunderland’s equaliser with a well-taken half-volley in the 75th minute, sending the Stadium of Light into raptures. On Isidor, who has already scored thrice this season, Le Bris said: “He’s being very clinical! The competition [with other strikers] helps them all. We can’t stay and maintain this high level with only one striker.”

Sunderland made 14 signings in the summer transfer window, with over £140m spent on the new additions to the squad. On balancing the new statement signings with protecting the spirit of the team from last season, Le Bris said: “The recruitment process was focussed on specific qualities, I’m not surprised [that new signings settled in so well].

“The identity of the club is still here, it was our main objective during the recruitment process to keep the identity and togetherness.”

Sunderland have won eight points in five games so far this season in the Premier League, a feat which took last year’s playoff winners Southampton until February to achieve. On this, Le Bris said ”Our record’s not too bad. We always want to chase victory. We work hard during the week and we try to win points on the weekend.”