Tim Sherwood is desperate for Aston Villa to stick their nose in front as the race for Premier League survival heats up.
17th-placed Villa travel to the Stadium of Light to take on 16th-placed Sunderland for what could prove to be a key fixture in the relegation battle this year.
?The Black Cats sit just a point and one place above Villa, who themselves are just three points above the drop zone.
?Villa have never been relegated in the history of the Premier League and their newly appointed manager is fully aware of the task at hand.
?Speaking in a pre-match conference, Sherwood said: "I think it'll be a photo finish and I hope we're not in it.
?"We're probably just coming around the corner but it's probably the longest run-in in racing history.
?"All we're looking at is the next fence and that's Sunderland. After that we hope we can stay in the running, there might be a few who fall along the way and we're hoping that's not us."
?Villa have have gone on to win their last two matches under Sherwood, beating West Bromwich Albion in both the league and FA Cup.
?Sherwood went on to claim that his side is up for the battle, adding: "They've been good and a win makes an awful lot of difference.
?"They have been focused and up for the fight.
?"They haven't dwelt on the position. It's about looking forward now, what we have done previously counts for nothing."?
