<text>  Sunderland have sacked manager Gus Poyet in the wake of Saturdays humiliating 4-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa. The result leaves the Black Cats one point and one place above the drop zone and owner Ellis Short believes a change of manager is needed to avoid relegation. Poyet who leaves after 17 months in charge was informed of the clubs decision having taken training at the Academy of Light on Monday morning. Gus Poyet has been sacked by Sunderland with the club just one point above the relegation zone . Sunderland fans turned on manager Poyet during the defeat by Aston Villa on Saturday . Sportsmail reported earlier in the day that influential sporting director Lee Congerton had advised Short to sack Poyet. A statement on the clubs website confirmed the news on Monday afternoon, in which Short said: I would like to thank Gus for his endeavours during his time at the club, in particular last seasons great escape and cup final appearance, which will live long in the memory of every Sunderland fan. Goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon looks dejected as Sunderland were thrashed at home by Villa . Gabriel Agbonlahor scored two of Aston Villas goals in the 4-0 win on Saturday . 525 - Poyets number of days in charge since his arrival on October 8, 2013. 75 - The Uruguayans number of games in charge, winning 23, losing 22 and drawing 30. 3 - The number of games against bitter rivals Newcastle. He won them all with an aggregate of 6-1. 35 - Poyet was the 35th man to manage Sunderland either permanently or as a caretaker. 22 - The number of years between Sunderlands appearances in a major final. Poyet took them to the 2014 Capital One Cup final, 22 years on from their defeat to Liverpool in the FA Cup showpiece. They lost to Manchester City. 14 - Sunderlands final position in Poyets first season. 4 - The amount of games won in the Premier League by Sunderland this season. The joint-worst with bottom side Leicester. Sadly, we have not made the progress that any of us had hoped for this season and we find ourselves battling, once again, at the wrong end of the table. We have therefore made the difficult decision that a change is needed. Poyets position had become untenable after a breakdown in relationship with Congerton and the clubs fans, thousands of whom streamed for the exits with the team trailing by four at half-time against Villa. A handful of supporters even tried to storm the dugout while some targeted the directors box including chief executive Margaret Byrne - leaving the club hierarchy in no doubt that a change was necessary. Holland boss Dick Advocaat has already spoken to the club about a short-term deal until the end of the season and he could be installed before Saturdays trip to West Ham. Congerton is close to Frank Arnesen they worked together at Chelsea and Hamburg and he is thought to have recommended Advocaat for the role. The new man will inherit a team which has won just once in 12 matches and is without a home goal in more than five hours. Poyet leaves Sunderland after just over a year in charge . Poyet was appointed by Sunderland in October 2013 following the sacking of Paolo Di Canio . They were dumped out of the FA Cup by League One Bradford City last month and away fans fought among themselves at Valley Parade. Bizarrely, Poyet blamed the Press for Sunderlands woes after that game but his excuses did not wash with supporters. Former Rangers and Holland manager Dick Advocaat is one name in the frame to take over . The goodwill generated by last seasons League Cup final appearance and their escape from relegation in the final weeks of the campaign had long since evaporated and few fans will be mourning his departure. Poyets backroom team of Mauricio Taricco and Charlie Oatway are also expected to leave the club. The next home match sees North-East rivals Newcastle visit the Stadium of Light on Easter Sunday. HULL . Chelsea Home - March 22 . Swansea Away - April 4 . Southampton Away - April 11 . Liverpool Home - April 18 . Crystal Palace Away - April 25 . Arsenal Home - May 2 . Burnley Home - May 9 . Tottenham Away - May 16 . Man United Home - May 24 . ASTON VILLA . Swansea Home - March 21 . Man United Away - April 4 . Tottenham Away - April 11 . Man City Away - April 25 . Everton Home - May 2 . West Ham Home - May 9 . Southampton Away - May 16 . Burnley Home - May 24 . QPR Home - Date to be arranged . SUNDERLAND . West Ham Away - March 21 . Newcastle Home - April 5 . Crystal Palace Home - April 11 . Stoke Away - April 25 . Southampton Home - May 2 . Everton Away - May 9 . Leicester Home - May 16 . Chelsea Away - May 24 . Arsenal Away - Date to be arranged . BURNLEY . Southampton Away - March 21 . Tottenham Home - April 5 . Arsenal Home - April 11 . Everton Away - April 18 . Leicester Home - April 25 . West Ham Away - May 2 . Hull Away - May 9 . Stoke Home - May 16 . Aston Villa Away - May 24 . QPR . Everton Home - March 22 . West Brom Away - April 4 . Chelsea Home - April 12 . West Ham Home - April 25 . Liverpool Away - May 2 . Man City Away - May 9 . Newcastle Home - May 16 . Leicester Away - May 24 . Aston Villa Away - Date to be arranged . LEICESTER . Tottenham Away - March 21 . West Ham Home - April 4 . West Brom Away - April 11 . Swansea Home - April 18 . Burnley Away - April 25 . Chelsea Home - April 29 . Newcastle Home - May 2 . Southampton Home - May 9 . Sunderland Away - May 16 . QPR Home - May 24 . Note: Fixtures in May subject to change for television schedule. 