Chris Coleman names five Sunderland players he cannot start together

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Sunderland are in action later this evening when they take on Aston Villa.

Chris Coleman has told the Chronicle that he cannot get all his creative players in the same Sunderland team.

The Black Cats have scored seven goals in their last three matches, but have failed to win any of them.

Sunderland’s fragility at the back has caused complications, despite their impressive scoring form.

And Coleman has suggested that Sunderland’s defensive problems would only worsen, if he named a starting line-up packed with his best attacking talents.

“We’ve got Jonny and George Honeyman (5ft 7in) and in a lot of games you play in the Championship there’s a lot of set-plays,” Coleman said. “We can’t always go with certain players because we’re too small, simple as that.

“Those who know my history will know what I think of Jonny Williams – he’s a very, very good player and he’s going to get game-time. Sometimes it can be him and George together if there’s other individuals in the team but’s it’s very tough to go with McGeady, McManaman, Williams, Honeyman and Asoro. They’re not the biggest and the league we’re in it’s needs-must, so we can’t play them all.”

Sunderland are next in action later this evening, when they take on Aston Villa.

The Black Cats go into the contest as underdogs against the promotion chasers, but Steve Bruce has already said that his Villa side will need to be on their guard.

Sunderland have shown some signs of fight in recent times, but time is running out for the Wearsiders to save themselves from the drop.

Sunderland are currently trapped at the bottom of the Championship table, and are four points adrift of safety.