This is exactly how Sunderland's reshuffled XI made their mark with superb 8-1 win over Aston Villa U21s

The Black Cats controlled the game for the most part but fired in six second-half goals to make an emphatic start to their EFL Trophy campaign.

An excellent performance was notable for superb displays from a number of players looking to push their way into Phil Parkinson’s thoughts, with Josh Scowen and Grant Leadbitter particularly impressive in midfield.

There was also a goal for Danny Graham on his second ebut, his lively cameo rounding off a good night for Parkinson ahead of the start of the league campaign.

Parkinson had, as expected, significantly shuffled his pack from the weekend clash with Hull City and there was a hint of uncertainty in the opening minutes as a bright Aston Villa U21 side began with purpose.

Arbenit Xhemajli’s international clearance arrived in time for him to make his full debut, alongside Remi Matthews and Morgan Feeney at the heart of defence. Dan Neil was handed his first start for the club while new signing Graham was named on the bench at the start of his second stint at the club.

The last time Sunderland faced U21 opposition, an expensively assembled an immensely talented Leicester City side inflicted an embarrassing defeat on Parkinson’s side early in his tenure.

Villa have been similarly expansive in their recent youth recruitment and almost had an instant lead when Seb Revan burst into the box. He did well to hold his composure and lift a delicate effort over Matthews, denied only by an excellent intervention from Feeney as he snuffed out the danger. That would be a theme of an impressive half from the Everton youngster.

If that was an early warning then it was heeded well by the host.

Sunderland quickly began to assert themselves on the game and the intensity of the play would have pleased Parkinson.

Jack Diamond fired in a couple of dangerous early crosses from the right-hand side; Lynden Gooch just unable to control and get a shot away before the defence could recover.

The opener felt inevitable and came 12 minutes in with an ease that left the Villa defence scratching their heads.

Josh Scowen whipped in a tremendous corner to the middle of the box and Charlie Wyke, the only play in the box to rise to meet it, thumped an emphatic header into the far corner.

If the gap in seniority was sizeable in open play, then at set pieces it was a chasm.

Feeney served notice of his intent with an excellent back-post header from another Scowen corner, his firm effort bouncing into the crowd and tipped just over the bar by Sinisalo in the Villa goal.

Scowen proceeded to whip the following corner into exactly the same area and Feeney this time made no mistake with an effort that left Sinisalo with no chance.

Driven by the excellent Grant Leadbitter in midfield, Sunderland were taking total control of the game and almost trebled their lead just after the half-hour mark.

Good pressing forged an opening from which Leadbitter, Neil and Diamond combined well. Power did well to resist the urge to shoot just inside the box, instead teeing up Gooch as he broke into the box. His effort was struck well but missed the target.

Villa had little sight of goal in the first half, though Indiana Vassilev was left frustrated when he finally was able to catch Feeney off guard. It was a clever run free of the defence from the American, but his effort was poor as the Sunderland defender recovered.

Mark Delaney’s side were able to give themselves a lifeline early in the second when Brandon Taylor was caught out, his clumsy challenge bringing Carney Chukwuemeka to the ground.

Matthews guessed the right way but was unable to get close to Vassilev’s firm effort.

The lead lasted barely a minute, Villa again defending a corner with scarcely credible diffidence.

Scowen again found Feeney at the back post, who this time headed back across goal. Wyke was unmarked on the line and had the simplest of finishes.

It was a strong evening for Wyke, responding well to losing his place to Will Grigg days earlier.

He almost had a good assist to his name shortly after, firing across a good first-time cross from the right flank that Neil met well but struck into the side netting.

Though Villa made some dangerous forays forward, Matthews was largely untested and it was the home side who looked most likely to extend their lead, with Gooch drawing two smart stops from Sinisalo as he looked to get on the scoresheet.

Villa’s youngsters were on the ropes and eventually buckled, Scowen running riot with a tremendous display.

The fourth came as Graham made his presence felt in the box, winning a header that Sinisalo just kept out. The loose ball fell for Scowen who smashed it home; Power extending the lead within minutes when he fired in an effort from 25-yards that Sinisalo got a hand to but could not turn wide.

An encouraging night continued as Graham landed his first Stadium of Light goal, confidently turning home a low cross from Scowen as he again surged clear down the right.

Diamond was the next able to get free down the right and cross, this time it was substitute George Dobson who broke into the box and had a simple finish.

The rout was completed in stoppage time when Leadbitter freed Aiden O’Brien with a stunning long pass. O’Brien turned away from his defender well and fired a superb finish into the far corner.

Sunderland XI: Matthews; Gooch, Taylor, Feeney, Xhemajli, Diamond; Leadbitter, Scowen; Neil (O’Brien, 69), Power (Dobson, 79), Wyke (Graham, 69)

Subs: Burge, Maguire, Flanagan, Hume

Aston Villa U21 XI: Sinisalo, Hayden, Revan (S), Revan (D), Bridge, Ramsey (J), Ramsey (A) (Brunt, 67), Chukwuemeka, Wright, Philogene-Bidace, Vassilev (Archer, 55)

Subs: Onodi, Brunt, Burton, Sonha, Sturridge, Farr

Bookings: Ramsey (J), 13 Leadbitter, 16 Neil, 61

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