We've taken a look at the last Sunderland side to visit Villa Park ahead of this weekend's clash in the Midlands.
Sunderland return to Villa Park on Sunday for the first time since 2017.
Their last meeting - a 2-1 Villa win featuring goals from Albert Adomah, Josh Onomah, and Lewis Grabban - saw both clubs struggling in the Championship. While Villa eventually rose and Sunderland plummeted to League One, the Black Cats have since endured a volatile journey back to the top-flight. Where is that starting line-up now?
The last Sunderland side to visit Aston Villa
GK: Robbin Ruiter
Ruiter’s 28-game spell at the Stadium of Light ended with a move to PSV. The Dutchman spent the remainder of his career largely as a backup in the Eredivisie with Willem II and Cambuur. After a brief final stint at Nordsjælland, he retired in April 2024.
RB: Adam Matthews
Talented but hindered by Sunderland's decline, the 14-cap Wales international stayed for their League One campaign before joining Charlton and Omonia Nicosia, where he won the Cypriot Cup. Now 34, he currently plays for Shamrock Rovers.
CB: John O’Shea
Dependable but unable to prevent consecutive relegations, O’Shea joined Reading in 2018 for a final season. After a four-match stint as Republic of Ireland interim manager in 2024, he transitioned into his current role as an assistant coach.
CB: Tyias Browning
On loan from Everton, Browning failed to impress before moving to China with Guangzhou FC. Since 2022, the 31-year-old has played for Shanghai Port, winning four league titles and a cup. Eligible via his grandfather, he has earned 35 caps for the Chinese national team.
LB: Bryan Oviedo
Despite enduring two relegations and League One play-off failure at Sunderland, he remained a rare bright spot. His subsequent career included stints at FC Copenhagen, Real Salt Lake, LD Alajuelense, and AD San Carlos. Now a free agent, he has been without a club since January.
DM: Darron Gibson
Another ex-Everton man, Gibson was a controversial figure at Sunderland to say the least. He was released in the March of this campaign and had short stays with Wigan and Salford City before retiring in 2021.
RM: Callum McManaman
Managed just one goal and two assists during his single season at the club. He’s back with Wigan now, having turned out for Luton Town, Melbourne Victory and Tranmere Rovers since leaving Wearside.
CM: George Honeyman
Stayed with Sunderland into League One and was one of their better performers in their first season in the third tier, earning him a move away. Now plays for Blackpool following spells at Hull City and Millwall.
CM: Lynden Gooch
Stayed with SAFC all the way until 2023, making 247 appearances for the club. Spent a couple of seasons at Stoke, and is now a key player for League One side Huddersfield Town.
LM: Aiden McGeady
Another former Toffee, McGeady brought unstoppable skill and mind-numbing frustration in equal measure, but was certainly an attacking cornerstone of this side. He finally departed for Hibs in 2022, and ended his playing career in 2024 at Ayr United.
ST: Lewis Grabban
Grabban was so prolific for Sunderland that Bournemouth recalled him in January, only to loan him to Aston Villa. He moved to Nottingham Forest that summer, scoring 56 goals across 149 games. Now retired, he serves as Forest’s U21 assistant coach.
Used sub: James Vaughan
Never got going for Sunderland. Turned out for the likes of Wigan, Portsmouth, Bradford and Tranmere upon leaving.
Used sub: Joel Asoro
A talented, pacey forward who never hit the heights, Asoro’s best moments since leaving Sunderland have come at Djurgarden, where he’s been back on loan after failing to make the grade at Metz.
Used sub: Ethan Robson
Left Sunderland permanently in 2020 after some loan spells. Has since become a lower league journeyman, currently playing in the North East for South Shields.
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