New Sunderland boss Chris Coleman faces a baptism of fire on Tuesday evening when he takes his Sunderland side to Aston Villa, with Steve Bruce’s men in good form heading into the tie.

Coleman’s side are rock-bottom, and will remain there should they fall to a likely defeat at the hands of their former Premier League rivals.

Steve Bruce has problems of his own however, with Villa short of striking options following injuries to both Scott Hogan and Jonathan Kodjia, and Bruce must decide who to utlise in the forward role ahead of the clash.

Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has had his say ahead of the tie, with the former Football League journeyman giving Villa the win.

Prutton expects Bruce’s side to emerge with a closely-fought 2-1 victory, a win which would see Coleman’s reign begin with a disappointing start.

The Verdict

Prutton is arguably being quite generous by affording Sunderland such a narrow defeat.

I think Coleman will be given a real baptism of fire in his first match, and will also be provided with a distinct realisation of how mammoth the task at hand really is.

Villa should come through this fixture with relative ease, and I can see them keeping a clean sheet.

Aston Villa 3-0 Sunderland

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