(Credit: Imago)
(Credit: Imago)
Match

Regis Le Bris confirms major injury to 'huge threat' ahead of Sunderland vs Aston Villa

Alex Charlton
Alex Charlton

Alex is a lifelong Sunderland supporter who's been reporting on Mackem News since April 2025. Indeed, he started working for Breaking Media in April and has since graduated from St Mary's University as a NCTJ Gold Standard-accredited journalist, having completed his Master's degree in Sports Journalism. Alex previously worked for Football League World and has featured on the Roker Report, providing his opinion on all things Sunderland. While getting to the games is tricky, given his job, one of the highlights of his life was watching (and crying) as the Black Cats defeated Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium last season.

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Sunderland would have been hoping to have all of their players fit and fighting for Aston Villa.

The Black Cats have been superb at home, having already defeated West Ham and Brentford in the Premier League.

Regis Le Bris' side welcome Aston Villa to the Stadium Light, in what should be their toughest home game of the season so far.

Rumours were circulating before the match that a star player could be missing, and Le Bris has now confirmed the worst possible news.

Regis Le Bris staring on at Sunderland
The Frenchman has been forced into a change (Credit: Imago)

Regis Le Bris confirms Habib Diarra injury for Sunderland vs Aston Villa

Sunderland can make history by beating Aston Villa, as it would be the first time that they have won their opening three home games of the campaign since 1965.

Their opponents have been struggling, having failed to score a single league goal, but they must not be underestimated.

Indeed, Unai Emery described Sunderland as a 'difficult' opponent as his side chase their first win of the season.

All eyes were on Le Bris' team sheet, and there was a standout absentee from his starting XI, which can only be described as a blow.

That is because Habib Diarra is nowhere to be seen, while Chris Rigg makes his first Premier League start as a surprise inclusion.

  • Diarra has started all of Sunderland's Premier League games
  • Rigg has come on as a substitute twice

“He [Diarra] got an injury yesterday in training, so we’ll have to wait for the diagnosis. A muscle injury," he told Premier League reporter Andy Sixsmith on 21 September.

“A real opportunity for Chris Rigg - young player who deserves this opportunity.”

Habib Diarra will be a huge miss for Regis Le Bris

Diarra became Sunderland's record signing, having joined from RC Strasbourg for £30million in the summer.

While it would be tough to single out one particular player for praise, the midfielder has certainly been one of the Wearsiders' star performers.

In the opening game against West Ham, the 21-year-old was offered significant praise by Match of the Day pundit Wayne Rooney.

“Diarra was a huge threat all game, his runs forward, his energy," Rooney said on 16 August.

“There was a lot of energy about Sunderland in general all afternoon.”

While supporters will be curious to see how Rigg performs, the news regarding Diarra can only be seen as a setback.

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Habib Diarra
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