Aston Villa host Sunderland at Villa Park with line-ups now confirmed, as Unai Emery's side seeks to move within one point of Manchester United in third place. Villa made four changes to their starting XI, while Sunderland kept an unchanged lineup from their previous game. Ross Barkley is set for his 300th Premier League appearance.
Unai Emery's Aston Villa welcome a revitalized Sunderland to Villa Park in a key Premier League fixture. A victory for the hosts would position them just one point behind Manchester United in third, bolstering their Champions League aspirations. Sunderland, meanwhile, could climb to sixth with a win amid a tightening table at the top end of the division below the frontrunners. Villa boast a strong home record this season but face a side showing improved form in recent weeks, known for occasional upsets against stronger opponents. The visitors set up with a stubborn defense expected to test the home attack, under the watchful eyes of the Villa Park crowd demanding dominance. Aston Villa's lineup features Emiliano Martínez in goal, with Ian Maatsen, Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, and Matty Cash in defense. Midfield includes Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, John McGinn, and Ross Barkley, who reaches his 300th Premier League outing, supporting forwards Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins. Emery introduced Martínez, Maatsen, Konsa, and Mings in place of Marco Bizot, Victor Lindelöf, Lucas Digne, and Pau Torres from the team that faced Nottingham Forest. Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris opted for no changes from the XI that played Tottenham Hotspur. Their side lines up with Robin Roefs in goal, defended by Reinildo Mandava, Omar Alderete, Luke O’Nien, and Nordi Mukiele. Midfield duties fall to Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Enzo Le Fée, and Habib Diarra, with Chris Rigg and Brian Brobbey up top.
