Unai Emery’s Aston Villa continue their relentless pursuit of a Champions League spot as they welcome a rejuvenated Sunderland to the Midlands.
Villa have been a formidable force at home this season, but they face a Black Cats side that has found a second wind in recent weeks.
A win for the visitors could even see them end the weekend in sixth place as the Premier League table gets tighter.
While Villa are heavy favorites to consolidate their top-four position, Sunderland have proven they can be “giant-killers” on their day.
With the Villa Park faithful expecting a dominant display, the pressure is on the hosts to break down what is expected to be a stubborn Sunderland rearguard
Aston Villa team news
Unai Emery has made four changes to the starting XI that faced Nottingham Forest – Emiliano Martínez, Ian Maatsen, Ezri Konsa, and Tyrone Mings come in today for Marco Bizot, Victor Lindelöf, Lucas Digne, and Pau Torres.
Ross Barkley is making his 300th appearance in the Premier League.
Aston Villa XI: Emiliano Martínez, Ian Maatsen, Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, Matty Cash, Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, John McGinn, Ross Barkley, Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins
Sunderland team news
Régis Le Bris name an unchanged starting XI from the team that faced Tottenham Hotspur.
Sunderland XI: Robin Roefs, Reinildo Mandava, Omar Alderete, Luke O’Nien, Nordi Mukiele, Granit Xhaka, Noah Sadiki, Enzo Le Fée, Habib Diarra, Chris Rigg, Brian Brobbey
