Sunderland slumped to an embarrassing 4-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa in front of their biggest crowd of the season as disgruntled supporters tried to storm the home dugout . Head coach Gus Poyet insists he will not walk away after the result which leaves the Black Cats one place above the relegation zone . But it was an alarming performance which has raised serious questions over his future and that of Sunderland ’ s top-flight status . Sportsmail was at the Stadium of Light to witness their sorry display and brings you the merit marks which lay bare their shortcomings… . Gus Poyet ca n't bear to watch as his Sunderland side are dismantled by Aston Villa at the Stadium of Light . Costel Pantilimon 4 – Left exposed for three of the goals but was outwitted by Agbonlahor for crucial second which changed mood inside stadium . Anthony Reveillere 3.5 – Looked a class act when he first signed , now looks like a 35-year-old veteran struggling with pace of Premier League . Costel Pantilimon was at fault for the crucial second goal , which changed the mood in the ground . Anthony Reveillere , who looked off the pace throughout , is dominated in the air by Christian Benteke . John O ’ Shea 3 – The usually-dependable skipper was shambolic and will be wishing Republic of Ireland No.2 Roy Keane had not been in the stands . Wes Brown 3 – Another who is looking like age is catching up with him and was helpless to prevent Villa from running riot in the first half . John O'Shea ( left ) looks defeated as Benteke celebrates Villa 's fourth goal before the interval . Wes Brown is shrugged off the ball all too easily by Gabriel Agbonlahor as he began to look his age . Patrick Van Aanholt 3 – Afforded little help by those around him but Villa soon realised the weakness in Sunderland ’ s side and attacked at will down the left , where Van Aanholt had no answer . Liam Bridcutt 4 – N ’ Zogbia ran all over him and the holding midfielder offered little resistance to wave after wave of Villa offensives . Ricky Alvarez 3 – No surprise to see him hooked at the break after a typically ineffective first half . Reports that an £8m deal is already agreed for the Inter loanee must be a worry for Sunderland supporters . Seb Larsson 4.5 – He ran about and gave his all but was involved in the bizarre incident at start of the second half where he failed to appear until the 49th minute . It was in keeping with the home side ’ s disastrous afternoon . The Sunderland defence can only stop and stare as Agbonlahor scores his second goal to make it 3-0 . Ricky Alvarez is set to join the club for £8.5million from Inter - he was ineffective again in the first half . Jack Rodwell 5 – It was arguably his best display in red and white , but there hasn ’ t been much to choose from . He at least got on the ball , although did little with it . Steven Fletcher 3 – Asked to man the left-hand side of midfield , it was a tactic which backfired spectacularly as Villa right-back Bacuna had a hand in three of the goals . Jermain Defoe 3 – Was anonymous and failed to pounce on the one decent cross flashed through the goalmouth by Fletcher . Jermaine Defoe was anonymous up front and missed the few opportunities that did come his way . Subs . Connor Wickham ( on 46 ) 5 – The second half was nothing more than a training-ground exercise and , like the rest of them , Wickham went through the motions . Manager . Gus Poyet 2 – Started with just one up front against lowly Villa and stationed striker Steven Fletcher on the left-wing . It was a negative set-up and produced a negative performance . He insists the players are still on board with his message , but the evidence on the pitch suggests otherwise . Sunderland fans show their anger at the club 's manager after Poyet 's side were thrashed at home . Poyet set up for the game in a negative way , and his team were punished by a clinical Villa side .
Sunderland lost four-0 to Aston Villa , conceding 4 first half goals . Gus Poyet attracted the ire of the home fans , but refuses to resign . Both centre backs were awful , but manager must be held responsible .