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Aston Villa vs Sunderland â Predicted lineup and team news
TL;DR
Aston Villa faces Sunderland today, aiming to secure a top-five Premier League position. Villa recently advanced to the Europa League semi-finals with a 4-0 win over Bologna, but have struggled in the league, winning only four of their last 13 matches.
Key points
- Aston Villa hosts Sunderland in the Premier League today
- Villa advanced to the Europa League semi-finals with a 4-0 win
- They have won 10 of their first 11 matches in Europe this season
- Villa has struggled in the Premier League, winning only four of 13 matches
- The team needs to improve their scoring against Sunderland's defense
Aston VillaSunderlandBolognaChelsea
Aston Villa vs Sunderland â Predicted lineup and team news
Aston Villa host Sunderland today, looking to cement their position in the Premier Leagueâs top five.
The Villans are riding a wave of momentum after cruising into the Europa League semi-finals on Thursday. They thrashed Bologna 4â0 to complete a dominant 7â1 aggregate victory over the Italian side. Unai Emeryâs men have now won 10 of their first 11 matches in Europe this season. This record matches the historic feats of Chelsea in 2019 and Villarreal in 2021.
Despite their European pedigree, Villa have lacked consistency in the Premier League since January. They have won only four of their 13 league matches during the current calendar year. Emery will be wary of any physical fatigue following their high-intensity midweek exploits. Moreover, the team must improve their clinical edge to overcome a resilient Sunderland defence. Villa have scored more than once in only two of their last 12 league outings.
Aston Villa team news
Boubacar Kamara remains a long-term absentee for the hosts due to a serious knee injury. Alysson is also expected to miss out after sustaining a knock during recent sessions. Consequently, Emery is likely to lean on his established core to maintain tactical stability. Amadou Onana and should form the double pivot in midfield. This pairing will be crucial for controlling the tempo against Sunderlandâs quick transitions.
Q&A
What is Aston Villa's recent performance in the Premier League?
Aston Villa has won only four of their last 13 Premier League matches this calendar year.
How did Aston Villa perform in their last Europa League match?
Aston Villa won their last Europa League match against Bologna 4-0, securing a 7-1 aggregate victory.
What challenges does Aston Villa face against Sunderland?
Aston Villa needs to overcome physical fatigue and improve their scoring, having scored more than once in only two of their last 12 league games.