Jordan Ayew to miss Sunderland clash

Isaac Darko 09:37 - 29 December 2015

The in-form Ghana international picked his fifth yellow card of the season their game in Monday's 2-0 defeat to Norwich in their league match.

Aston Villa will have to do without their top striker Jordan Ayew in their Premier League clash against Sunderland on January 2.

The in-form Ghana international picked his fifth yellow card of the season i their 2-0 defeat to Norwich on Monday.

Ayew hauled in two shots (two on target), five aerials won, three dribbles and one key pass but received his fifth caution of the season, meaning he will serve one match ban.

The 24-year-old - who has two goals in the last three games, three goals in the last six and five goals total for the season, - will be automatically suspended for the crucial visit to Sunderland on Saturday.

Rudy Gestede will probably pick up his spot as the lone striker up front.

The striker's suspension comes just three days before December 31st when there will be an amnesty on cards picked up in the first half of the season.

Villa will now go to Sunderland 11 points adrift in the relegation zone and at least 4 points behind their 19th-placed opponents, depending on the result of their match with Liverpool on Wednesday.