Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has apologised to the club’s fans after his side’s hopes of English Premier League survival were hit in a chastening 6-1 defeat at Aston Villa.

Sunderland had overcome Newcastle United and Everton in their two previous games, but they were abruptly brought down to earth at Villa Park on Monday in a game that featured a second-half hat-trick from Villa striker Christian Benteke.

The result left Sunderland level on 37 points with Villa and Newcastle, five points above the relegation zone, and prompted Di Canio to say sorry to his side’s travelling fans.

“We have to apologise to the supporters,” said the Italian.

“You can lose with a big gap, but the way it happened was not acceptable.

“It is beautiful to be there with the fans when you win against Newcastle. But you also have to stand in front of them when you lose heavily.”

Sunderland responded quickly after Ron Vlaar put Villa ahead with a long-range strike in the 31st minute, equalising within two minutes through Danny Rose, but Andreas Weimann restored Villa’s lead shortly before halftime and the home side did not look back.

Benteke ran in a 17-minute hat-trick, before Gabriel Agbonlahor completed victory with Villa’s sixth goal in the 88th minute.

“There were two different teams on the field,” said Di Canio.

“Aston Villa had a ferocity. They had desire and ambition, like it was the last chance of their lives. For us, after two wins in a row, our stomach was a bit full.

“When you eat a lot, you relax, you sleep. Now we have to work with blood in our eyes.”

Di Canio also confirmed that the club would appeal against the red card shown to attacking midfielder Stephane Sessegnon, who was sent off in the second half for a late challenge on Yacouba Sylla.

“There was nothing in it,” Di Canio said.

“The leg was not straight. He didn’t want to cause any damage to his opponent. The referee fell in a trap. It wasn’t a nasty action.”