Preview and Predicted Lineups: Sunderland vs Aston Villa

Aston Villa head to the Stadium of Light to take on newly promoted Sunderland on Sunday. After a poor start Unai Emery will be hoping his side can turn their form around and finally get their first win of the season. The Black Cats on the other hand, have enjoyed a decent showing in their opening games, currently sitting in 7th place on seven points.

Team News

Sunderland

• Enzo Le Fée and Dan Ballard are both in contention after returning from injury
• Luke O'Nein is still one or two weeks away

Aston Villa

• Boubacar Kamara is fit and available
• Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, Andrés García and Ross Barkley are still sidelined
• Victor Lindelöf may return to the squad

Sunderland Overview

Regis Le Bris' side are quickly becoming a very competitive team in the Premier League. Two wins, including a 3-0 thumping over West Ham, and one draw out of their first four games has certainly defied expectations. In recent years, promoted sides have struggled to reach the level of the league and ultimately have failed. Sunderland however, have spent big this summer and put together a deep squad that has the ability to compete in the league and should put them in good stead to avoid relegation.

Momentum is growing for Sunderland and the Stadium of Light is a very difficult place for opposing teams to visit due to the electric atmosphere. It's a great time to play Villa with the mood among the players and supporters rather low. Le Bris will be expecting another defiant showing in defence, like they did in their previous match against Crystal Palace, but will want an improvement in attack if they are to win.

Predicted Lineup: Roefs, Hume, Mukiele, Alderete, Reinildo, Diarra, Xhaka, Sadiki, Talbi, Isidor, Le Fée

Aston Villa Overview

The positives from Villa's defeat on penalties to Brentford in the week was that they finally scored a goal. There was a slight improvement in the fluidity of their attack with new signings Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott making impacts. However, they are still without a win. It's the worst set of performances they have had under Emery since his arrival at the club, but the heights he has taken Villa too means he's the man to turn it around.

That will hopefully start on Sunday, but it will no doubt be a very tricky fixture. Sunderland are on a high and supporters are enjoying the football they are playing, a complete contrast to Villa. If the Villans want to win, then a drastic improvement will be needed in both their style of play and their body language. Energy and fighting spirit have been lacking and it's something they now have to resurface again.

Kamara should slot straight back into midfield alongside John McGinn, despite Lamare Bogarde's performances. There is a potential that McGinn could play on the right instead of Evann Guessand with Bogarde in midfield, but Villa would lose width. Harvey Elliott is highly likely to start, pushing Morgan Rogers to the left, although Rogers' performances have been poor of late. Jadon Sancho could start, but unlikely due to his lack of minutes, and playing midweek.