Sunderland vs Aston Villa Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | Premier League

Sunderland vs Aston Villa Preview

• Tournament: 2025/26 Premier League
• Date: Sunday, 21st September 2025
• Kick-Off Timing: 13:00 PM GMT
• Venue: Stadium of Light, Sunderland

An enticing Premier League clash can be expected when Sunderland hosts a struggling Aston Villa side on Sunday afternoon. The Sunderland vs Aston Villa clash will take place at the Stadium of Light, and should be an intense encounter between two teams desperate for three points. Here is our Sunderland vs Aston Villa preview.

Sunderland have had a pretty good return to the Premier League, having won two of their four matches in the 2025/26 season and picked up seven points, putting them in seventh place in the league table. Regis Le Bris will urge his side to maintain their sturdy defensive nature and be clinical in converting their chances to get another big home win.

Aston Villa have had a torrid start to the 2025/26 Premier League, with just two points from four games, leaving them in 19th place. They are yet to score a single goal and Unai Emery will hope to make some tweaks that can allow the Villans to produce more entertaining, decisive performances to finally end this barren run.

Sunderland Team News

Regis Le Bris is still dealing with a host of injuries. The likes of Leo Hjelde (calf), Romaine Mundle (thigh), Dennis Cirkin (hand) and Enzo Lee Fee are all unavailable, while Ajibola Alese must pass a fitness test for this clash.

Aston Villa Team News

Unai Emery will miss Youri Tielemans as he recovers from a calf injury. The likes of Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana need to pass a fitness test to be available for this.

Sunderland vs Aston Villa Predicted Lineups

Here are our Sunderland vs Aston Villa predicted lineups.

Sunderland Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):

Goalkeeper: Robin Roefs

Defenders: Trai Hume, Daniel Ballard, Nordi Mukiele, Reinaldo

Midfielders: Granit Xhaka, Habib Diarra, Noah Sadiki

Forwards: Chemsdine Talbi, Simon Adringa, Wilson Isidor

Aston Villa Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez

Defenders: Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne

Midfielders: Lamare Bogarde, Amadou Onana, Morgan Rogers

Forwards: Donyell Malen, Harvey Elliott, Ollie Watkins

Sunderland vs Aston Villa Head-to-Head Record

There have been 184 matches to have taken place between these two sides. Out of that, Aston Villa have won 83 games and Sunderland have managed 55 victories. In their last five games, Aston Villa have won three games, and Sunderland have managed just one win.

Key Players to Watch in Sunderland vs Aston Villa

Wilson Isidor (Sunderland)

Wilson Isidor has had a great start to the 2025/26 Premier League campaign with two goals so far, outperforming his 0.39 xG (expected goals) impressively. The Frenchman has managed a 29% goal conversion rate and will be eager to maintain that ruthless streak. Isidor will aim to trouble the defenders with his clever movement, but will be expected to get to the end of opportunities and put them away efficiently to lift Sunderland to more joy.

Harvey Elliott (Aston Villa)

Harvey Elliott has that special spark to light up Aston Villa's attack and end their barren goalless run in the Premier League. The Englishman scored five goals in the 2025 U21 Euros for England, doing so with a 25% goal conversion rate, and recently scored for Villa in their Carabao Cup exit. He'll be eager to bring that form to the Premier League, as he'll look to trouble defenders with his slick movement and also create chances from the wide areas. Elliott will be encouraged to sneak into the key empty spaces and finish off moves clinically to guide his side to a necessary win.

Sunderland vs Aston Villa Prediction

Even though the recent matches between these two have been relatively high-scoring affairs dominated by Aston Villa, it's Sunderland with the momentum on their side this time. Because of both sides' stern defensive shape, this game could actually be a bit of a cagey, scrappy affair.

Both teams should have their chances to score, but Sunderland's impressive momentum and home form should tip things in their favor. The Black Cats should grind their way to a narrow win to keep their good form going. Here is our Sunderland vs Aston Villa prediction.

Predicted Score: Sunderland 2-1 Aston Villa

Where to watch Sunderland vs Aston Villa Live?

Here we look at where to watch Sunderland vs Aston Villa in key regions around the world.