Aston Villa Under-23s endured a disappointing Friday night as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Sunderland in Premier League 2.
Elliot Embleton's first-half brace proved decisive under the lights at Bodymoor Heath, despite an improved second-half performance from Mark Delaney's side.
The visitors made a fast start and it took them just nine minutes to break the deadlock.
Villa 'keeper Akos Onodi made a solid stop but the rebound fell straight to Embleton, who made no mistake and opened the scoring.
Onodi had to be at his best again minutes later to keep out Oliver Younger's header, but he couldn't stop Embleton from doubling his tally clinically with 18 minutes on the clock.
The Sunderland forward almost completed his hat-trick on the half-hour mark, but his curling free-kick hit the post.
Louie Barry moved into a central role after DJ Sturridge picked up an injury just before the break and he was unfortunate to see his shot strike a Sunderland arm, with the referee waving play on.
The hosts looked more lively at the start of the second half but still struggled to create any clear-cut chances before the hour-mark.
Embelton fired another chance over the bar before he was substituted, with Kaine Kesler going close for Villa at the other end with a far-post header.
Jaden Philogene-Bidace and Barry saw efforts saved by Anthony Patterson as time started to run out on Villa's hopes of getting back into the game.
Substitute Philogene-Bidace had a free-kick saved with the game moving into the final 15 minutes, with Tyreik Wright having a shot blocked soon after.
Delaney's side continued to apply the pressure and Barry fired inches wide in the closing moments, but Sunderland held on to their clean sheet and secured all three points.
Aston Villa: Onodi; Kesler, D. Revan, Bridge, S. Revan; A.Ramsey, Sylla (Tait 63'), Chukwuemeka; Wright, Sturridge (Philogene-Bidace 45'), Barry.
Subs not used: Marschall, Burton, Rowe.
Sunderland: Patterson; Taylor, Johnson, Younger; Wearne, Wilding, Neil, McFadzean (Dunne HT); Embleton (Curry 67'), Kimpioka (Hackett 68'), Hawkes.
Subs not used: Richardson, Steels.
