Sunderland vs Aston Villa preview: Team news, likely line-ups, scoreline prediction
Sunderland return to the Stadium of Light on Sunday to face Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Regis Le Bris’ side secured a point against Crystal Palace last time out, thanks to the inspiring performance of Robin Roefs between the sticks.
If Sunderland beat Aston Villa, then it will be the first time that the Wearsiders have won their opening three home games in Premier League history.
As for Unai Emery’s team, they are not only chasing their first win, but also their first league goal.
Form guide
Sunderland: WLDWD
Aston Villa: DLLDD
Team news
Le Bris should have Dan Ballard available after the Frenchman confirmed that the centre-back would return against Villa.
The Black Cats could have even more defensive reinforcements available as Luke O’Nien is also in line to return.
However, Sunderland are expected to be without Dennis Cirkin, who has suffered a setback on his return from a wrist injury.
The clash with the Villans will come too early for Romaine Mundle, who should be back in action after the October international break.
Aji Alese and Leo Hjelde should also miss out, while Bertrand Traore is in line to make his first Sunderland appearance.
- Ballard: Groin
- O’Nien: Shoulder
- Cirkin: Wrist
- Mundle: Hamstring
- Alese: Shoulder
- Hjelde: Achillies
As for Villa, they could be without Youri Tielemans after the Belgium international suffered a knock against Everton.
Boucoucar Kamara could return to Emery’s starting line-up, having featured as a substitute in the Carabao Cup.
However, the match could come too soon for Amadou Onana, who has been out with a hamstring injury since before the international break.
Predicted lineups
Sunderland: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Reinildo, Xhaka, Diarra, Sadiki, Traore, Adingra, Mayenda
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, McGinn, Kamara, Rogers, Elliott, Malen, Watkins
Prediction: Sunderland 1-1 Aston Villa
Given the form of both teams, Le Bris’ men will be confident of another home win, but it may not be so simple.
Villa have been significantly below par this season, but they have to score a goal sooner or later, and they have the quality to do so.
The head-to-head between the two sides makes for grim reading for the Black Cats, but they did triumph in their last home game in 2016.
Sunderland will need to make the Stadium of Light a fortress this season, and another win would go a long way to achieving that.
However, with the pressure on Villa to bag at least one goal, a draw seems like a fair result.
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