Last Word on Football brings you the latest team news and the predicted lineups ahead of the Aston Villa vs Sunderland game on Sunday. The hosts are currently fifth in the league but have won just one of their last five; however, they have had a run to the latter stages of the Europa League, qualifying for the semifinals with a 7-1 aggregate win over Bologna.
The Black Cats are exceeding all expectations of them this season and are currently 10th, but have a real chance of qualifying for Europe. They have won their last two away games against Leeds and Newcastle and beat Tottenham last time out at the Stadium of Light.
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Aston Villa vs Sunderland: Latest Team News and Predicted Lineups
Date: Sunday 19th April 2026
Venue: Villa Park
Kick-off: 14:00 GMT
Last meeting: Sunderland 1-1 Aston Villa (21 September 2025, Premier League)
Referee: Sam Barrott
Current odds: Aston Villa 4/6, Sunderland 17/4 (Sky Bet)
Aston Villa Team News
Emiliano Martinez returned from injury against Bologna on Thursday and is expected to keep his place in goal. Jadon Sancho also returned, featuring from the bench.
Boubacar Kamara will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.
With no new injury concerns, Villa boss Unai Emery could be tempted to keep any first-team changes to a minimum as they look to secure a Champions League place as the season’s end draws nearer. In his pre-match press conference, Emery said:
“For me, to finish in the top four, top five in the Premier League is the most important. And to be successful, I can feel through it successful this year.
“Of course, we are adding another competition, and to try to play for a trophy. Last year, we played semi-final FA Cup. We played semi-final, but we lost. And losing, you don’t have nothing.”
Sunderland Team News
Head coach Regis Le Bris has confirmed in his pre-match press conference that defender Dan Ballard has been declared fit to face Villa. The Northern Ireland international has been missing of late with a hamstring injury, with fears that he could miss the rest of the season. However, he has trained all week and is back in contention but may have to settle for a place on the bench.
Le Bris also said that trio Nilson Angulo, Bertrand Traoré, and Jocelin Ta Bi are still sidelined but are close to returning to training and could be fit to face Nottingham Forest next Friday.
Winger Romaine Mundle is still out and is expected to miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup
Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Torres
Maatsen
Onana
Tielemans
McGinn
Rogers
Buendia
Watkins
Sunderland Predicted Lineup
Roefs
Mukiele
Reinildo
O’Nien
Alderete
Xhaka
Sadiki
Diarra
Rigg
Le Fee
Brobbey
Featured image courtesy of SmartFrame/Pro Sports Images