Aston Villa manager Unai Emery expressed frustration with his team's lackluster performance following a 1-1 draw against Sunderland, characterizing his players as "lazy" and urging them to recover their identity. The match marked a continuation of Villa's winless streak, with the team struggling to find form since their last victory over Tottenham on May 16.

Emery's criticism came after Matty Cash's powerful strike ended a 427-minute drought without a league goal for Villa. However, their relief was short-lived as Wilson Isidor equalized for Sunderland late in the game, allowing the hosts to salvage a point. This result leaves Villa in 18th place in the Premier League table.

In his post-match comments, Emery acknowledged that the team was not playing in alignment with his expectations. He emphasized the need for players to adapt to his system while also highlighting defensive lapses that led to conceding chances. "We were lazy sometimes defensively," he noted, stressing the importance of fighting for every duel in matches.

Despite the similarities to last season's squad, which finished sixth, Emery pointed out that some players, like Harvey Elliott, need time to adjust to the pace of the Premier League. He believes that improving their tactical structure and regaining confidence will be crucial for Villa's success moving forward.

Former Villa player Micah Richards and pundits like Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher echoed Emery's sentiments, noting the lack of urgency and creativity in Villa's gameplay. As Villa looks to bounce back from this disappointing run, Emery remains hopeful that the team can rediscover its competitive edge and improve in upcoming fixtures.