Aston Villa have dropped quite a few points in recent matches, and they have picked up just one win from their last six Premier League games ahead of the outing vs Sunderland at Villa Park on Sunday afternoon. They will need to improve if they want to compete in the UEFA Champions League next season.
On the other hand, Sunderland have picked up three wins from their last four Premier League matches. They will be looking to finish in the top half of the table. The Black Cats are currently tenth in the Premier League table, and they will be delighted with the way the season has panned out for them since promotion.
They will look to finish the season strongly, and a win here would be a huge confidence boost. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Boubacar Kamara has a knee injury, and Alysson is also sidelined with a knock. Aston Villa will shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Sunderland on Sunday, with Emiliano Martinez in goal.
Matty Cash and Lucas Digne will start as the full-backs. They will look to keep things tight at the back. Meanwhile, Ezri Konsa will start alongside Pau Torres at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Amadou Onana and Douglas Luiz will provide defensive cover and control from the double pivot. Morgan Rogers will be deployed in the attacking midfield role, looking to link the midfield to the attack.
Emiliano Buendia and John McGinn will start on the flanks. They will look to create goalscoring opportunities and add unpredictability in the final third. Ollie Watkins will lead the line for Aston Villa vs Sunderland on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Onana, Luiz; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins
Simon Moore (wrist), Romaine Mundle (thigh), Bertrand Traore (knee), Nilson Angulo (knock), and Jocelin Ta Bi (ankle) are ruled out for the away side. Sunderland will start in a 4-3-3 formation vs Aston Villa, with Robin Roefs in goal.
Lutsharel Geertruida and Arthur Masuaku will start as the full-backs. They will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. Meanwhile, Nordi Mukiele will start alongside Omar Alderete at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Chris Rigg will add creativity and control alongside Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki. They will look to break up opposition attacks, win the ball back for the side and set up transitions.
Enzo Le Fee and Chemsdine Talbi will start on the flanks and aim to add pace, flair, and goals from the wide areas. Finally, Wilson Isidor will spearhead the Sunderland attack vs Aston Villa on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Roefs; Geertruida, Alderete, Mukiele, Masuaku; Sadiki, Xhaka, Rigg; Talbi, Isidor, Le Fee
The English striker has not been at his best this season, but he has shown improvement in recent weeks. He will look to continue his impressive run of form. Aston Villa will need him to step up and deliver in the final third. He could help create opportunities for his teammates and find the back of the net.
The Englishman’s ability to bring others into the game could prove to be vital as Aston Villa look to break down Sunderland here. The away team will look to make life difficult for the opposition, and they will need an intelligent striker like Watkins to step up and make a difference. The 30-year-old will look to make his mark on the game and help his team pick up all three points.
Both teams will be playing for a result here, and this is likely to be a close game. The two teams met in September and played out a draw. This one is unlikely to be any different. It will be difficult to separate the two teams.
Aston Villa will look to put up a strong performance at home, and Sunderland are full of confidence and momentum right now. The two teams are likely to cancel each other out and share the spoils in a draw.
