Aston Villa vs Sunderland
Aston Villa can solidify their Top 5 place if they win their next Premier League match against Sunderland this Sunday at Villa Park, and the Villans can move up in the English top-flight standings, depending on this weekend’s Premier League 2026 results.
As of this writing, Aston Villa are fourth in the table with 55 points, level with third-seeded Manchester United. If the Red Devils drop the ball against the Blues, the Villans could take the third seed at the end of Matchday 33. Unai Emery’s men are fresh from dispatching Bologna in the Europa League quarter-finals yesterday, giving them confidence ahead of Sunday.
Sunderland are on a two-game winning streak after they beat Newcastle United (2-1) and Tottenham (1-0). As a result, the Black Cats improved to 10th in the standings with 46 points, only two points adrift of sixth-seeded Chelsea.
Talking Points
Aston Villa expected to rotate their squad
Aston Villa secured their spot in this year’s Europa League semi-finals after they bashed Bologna 4-0 yesterday to take their aggregate tally to 7-1. It was a huge result for the Villans, following their 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest last weekend. Ollie Watkins, Emi Buendia, Morgan Rogers, and Ezri Konsa scored four unanswered goals to put their Serie A counterparts away. Aston Villa have now won four of their last six matches across all competitions.
The Villans have been handed a big lineup boost, as Emiliano Martinez seems to be over with his calf issue, while Tyrone Mings and Jadon Sancho were on the bench against Bologna. Given the short turnaround between their games, head coach Unai Emery is expected to tinker with his starting XI against Sunderland.
Tammy Abraham, Jadon Sancho, Douglas Luiz, Lamare Bogarde, and Leon Bailey came off the bench against Bologna, and at least one of them could start against Sunderland. Tyrone Mings, Victor Lindelof, Ian Maatsen, and Harvey Elliott are also under consideration after they didn’t play yesterday.
Sunderland’s Brobbey is a hot commodity
At 46 points, Sunderland already have their most points in a top-flight campaign since the 2010-11 season (47 points). Regis Le Bris’ side has 12 Premier League wins – as many as all three newly promoted sides managed combined last term and the most victories by a promoted club in a season since Fulham’s 15-win campaign in 2022-23.
Brian Brobbey has been a central figure behind the Black Cats’ remarkable return, as the Dutchman leads the team in scoring with six league goals. Given how well he has played in his debut Premier League season, Brobbey has reportedly gained a suitor in Bayern Munich, who are looking to bring in competition for Harry Kane in their attacking corps.
Besides Brobbey, Enzo Le Fee, Wilson Isidor, and Chemsdine Talbi have four goals each, while Granit Xhaka is Sunderland’s best playmaker with five assists.
History
Aston Villa and Sunderland shared the spoils in their 1-1 draw last September at the Stadium of Light, as Wilson Isidor and Matty Cash were on the scoresheet. The Black Cats were reduced to 10 men, as Reinildo Mandava received a straight red card in the 33rd minute for his violent conduct against Cash. At the time, the Villans were winless and were in the relegation zone, and Cash’s goal was their first league score of the campaign.
Sunderland haven’t won any of their last six away league matches against Aston Villa (D4, L2). This is their first visit to Villa Park since a 2-1 loss in the Championship in November 2017, and their first in the English top-flight since a 2-2 draw in August 2015.
The Villans have never lost to a newly promoted Premier League side under Unai Emery (W14, D5), with their last defeat coming against Fulham in October 2022 under Steven Gerrard.
Betting Tip
The Premier League 2026 odds have Aston Villa as the favourites to take maximum points this Sunday at home. The Villans are priced to win at 1.66, while the Black Cats are 4.67 underdogs, and a draw is at 3.52 in the 1X2 market. Fatigue could play a role against the hosts, but they have enough depth to see this through. Besides rooting for Aston Villa to win, SBOTOP bettors may also want to add Over 2.25 at 1.71, Over 2.50 at 1.94, Over 2.75 at 2.20, and Total Goal 2-3 at 1.98 to the parlay. On the other hand, the Correct Score of 1-1 – the result of the reverse fixture – could give you a tidy payout of 6.90.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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