Sunderland vs Aston Villa Preview: Team News & Prediction
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It has been a bright start to their return to the Premier League for Sunderland as the Black Cats now prepare to take on a struggling Aston Villa side at the Stadium of Light.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Peacock
Sunderland preview: Fierce home advantage
In their opening couple of matches at home, Sunderland have managed to defeat both West Ham United and Brentford. An emphatic 3-0 victory over the Irons was followed by a stirring and dramatic turnaround against the Bees a fortnight later.
Even on the road, Regis Le Bris’ men have seemingly found a way of blunting opposition with a goalless draw against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last weekend. They did suffer a 2-0 loss to Burnley at Turf Moor last month, though.
Aston Villa preview: Villainous start
Aston Villa have had a woeful start to the season and that continued in midweek as they were eliminated from the EFL Cup at the third round stage by Brentford, losing to the Bees on penalties at the Gtech Community Stadium after what had been a 1-1 draw.
The Villains have started their league campaign miserably, too, with a goalless draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium against Everton last weekend meaning that they have collected just two points and are yet to score from their opening four matches.
Sunderland team news: Nothing major
There are no major concerns for Regis Le Bris to deal with and there is no need to change the starting lineup, with Luke O'Nien not yet ready to come back into the side due to injury.
He is sidelined alongside fellow defenders Leo Hjelde and Dennis Cirkin, as well as Romain Mundle, whilst no update has been given over the fitness of Aji Alese.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Roefs; Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Reinildo; Diarra, Xhaka, Sadiki; Talbi, Isidor, Adingra
Unavailable: Hjelde (Injured), O'Nien (Injured), Cirkin (Injured), Mundle (Injured)
Questionable: Ballard (Fitness), Alese (Injured), Le Fee (Fitness)
Aston Villa team news: Kamara is back
It has been confirmed that key defensive midfielder Boubacar Kamara has returned to full training and he is now back available for the trip to Wearside, and he could well start.
However, his fellow midfielder Youri Tielemans remains sidelined for the Villains, whilst Victor Lindelof remains a doubt and a late call over his availability will be made.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Kamara, McGinn; Elliott, Rogers, Sancho; Watkins
Unavailable: Tielemans (Injured), Barkley (Injured)
Questionable: Lindelof (Injured), Garcia (Injured), Onana (Injured)
Sunderland vs Aston Villa prediction
Aston Villa have endured a very difficult summer with Profit and Sustainability Rules forcing them to do very little business having missed out on UEFA Champions League qualification. Sunderland will be riding the crest of a wave heading into this one and logic would be dictate that they should be backed here. However, this remains a newly-promoted team against one of the best coaches in Europe, and Villa won’t go too much longer without a victory, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them finally turn up.
Sunderland vs Aston Villa tip: Aston Villa to win
