Analysis: Black Cats still have European hopes despite losspublished at 16:56 BST
16:56 BST
Josef Rindl BBC Sport Journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Having recorded back-to-back wins over Newcastle and Tottenham before their loss at Villa, Sunderland are still very much in the race for European football next season.
The Black Cats are 11th but only two points behind Chelsea in sixth.
Sunday's match was a case of what might have been.
When through on goal, Habib Diarra tried to lob Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez but sent his effort straight to the Argentine stopper. Meanwhile, team-mate Chemsdine Talbi was waiting alongside him for a tap-in.
There were 58 seconds between Sunderland's second and third goals.
There were 36 seconds between Martinez's save and Abraham's winner.
Aston Villa 4-3 Sunderland: What Le Bris saidpublished at 16:41 BST
16:41 BST
Media caption,
Sunderland showed their identity until the end - Le Bris
Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris, speaking to Match of the Day: "Disappointed because we had the opportunity to win the game, just with this one-v-one with Habib [Diarra]. But the opposite way, we conceded the late goal.
"We showed good character and resilience, some good quality at times, but we felt the strength of Aston Villa and they created many chances. A bit too much to be competitive at the end of this game."
On starting the first and second half poorly: ""We didn't start well, first or second half. When you concede a goal straight after half-time it's always difficult. At 3-1, with only one goal, you can change the dynamic and know it's possible. Our team won't give up."
On Diarra's chance: "It's a one-v-one. I'm not sure it's the best decision, but it is what it is. You need to accept the output of the action because the goalkeeper was good as well."
"We are learning, we are still a newly promoted side and going away to Villa is a tough place. Ups and downs. We played with our identity until the end, took risks."
Did you know?
Sunderland only conceded 3+ goals in a match in one of their first 20 games of this Premier League season (0-3 v Man City), but have since conceded 3+ times in five of their last 13 matches.
Chris Rigg (18y 305d) became the third youngest player to score for Sunderland in the Premier League, after Michael Bridges (18y 117d in November 1996) and Connor Wickham (18y 212d in October 2011). He also equalled Michael Bridges in 1996-97 for the most Premier League starts for Sunderland while aged 18 or younger in a single campaign (10 each).
Media caption,
Le Bris: 'We stayed in the game and found ways to get back'
Follow Sunday's Premier League games livepublished at 10:04 BST
10:04 BST
There are four games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
Aston Villa v Sunderland
Everton v Liverpool
Nottingham Forest v Burnley
Man City v Arsenal (16:30 BST)
Kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated
Follow all of the action and reaction to the early games here and the late match here
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Everton v Liverpool" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Man City v Arsenal", for instance.
Aston Villa v Sunderland: key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:02 BST 18 April
13:02 BST 18 April
Prudent Nsengiyumva BBC Sport Journalist
Aston Villa host Sunderland on Sunday (14:00 BST) as both sides approach the closing weeks of the Premier League season with clear ambitions. Villa are aiming to protect a strong position in the quest for Champions League qualification, while Sunderland have momentum and want to keep their dream of European football alive.
Will Villa hold their nerve?
With six games remaining, Aston Villa remain well placed to secure Champions League qualification, holding a seven-point cushion prior to the weekend. Having missed out on a top-five finish on goal difference last season, there is added incentive not to surrender their place so late on this time.
Recent form, however, explains why the race is not yet settled. After being eight points clear of fourth and 11 ahead of sixth after 21 matches, Villa have taken just 12 points from their last 11 league games, the fifth-worst return in the division over that period.
But the issue seems to have been game management rather than control. Since the start of February, only Newcastle have dropped more points from winning positions than the seven by Villa, who have won just two of their last five matches after taking the lead.
Unai Emery's record against promoted sides provides reassurance. Villa have never lost a Premier League match to a promoted team under him (W14, D5), with their last such defeat coming against Fulham in Steven Gerrard's last game in charge in October 2022.
Yet Sunderland offer a note of caution, being one of only three Premier League opponents the Spaniard has faced without recording a league win. They drew in the reverse fixture early this season.
Villa stalwarts making their mark
Striker Ollie Watkins' form has been up and down but he scored for the fourth time in as many games on Thursday night as Villa reached the Europa League semi-finals. In doing so, he became the club's first centurion since Peter McParland in the early 1960s.
John McGinn is another player whose importance to Villa is immense. Their reliance on the Scot is stark: a 56% win rate with him involved this season, compared to 28.6% without him.
History on the line for Sunderland
Sunderland are buoyant, sitting two points outside the Europa League places after collecting 46 points, already their best top-flight return at this stage since 2010–11. Victory would lift Régis Le Bris' side to 49 points, their highest since 2000–01, and solidify genuine European belief.
The Black Cats have won their last two matches and are chasing three consecutive Premier League wins for the first time in more than a decade. Although winless in their last six away league games in the West Midlands, the stakes are high on Sunday as Sunderland chase only their second European campaign, after the 1973–74 Cup Winners' Cup.
Le Bris on Ballard, 40-point target and motivationpublished at 14:23 BST 17 April
14:23 BST 17 April
Grace Wheeler BBC Sport
Media caption,
Sunderland boss Regis le Bris has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Aston Villa at Villa Park (kick-off 14:00).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Le Bris said that centre-back Dan Ballard "is fully fit and he has trained normally this week, so he is available for selection but you have to understand the dynamic of the group and the key for Ballard is to build his fitness levels".
On other players, he said: "Nilson [Angulo], Bertrand [Traoré] and Jocelin [Ta Bi] are still sidelined but they are really close to reconnect with the squad maybe around the Forest game."
On whether he has found a fixed starting 11, Le Bris said: "It's a dynamic first choice of 11. We have spoken to the players around this because it is an important topic. The purpose of the club is to grow and if you want to do this you need depth which means competition in the positions. It is about our future. This competition allows us to push ourselves."
Sunderland have comfortably passed Le Bris's pre-season points target of 40 and he said: "40 points is an in-reach target put probably the highest points [possible], maybe less but if you want to set the highest standards 40 points is fair."
Le Bris said earlier in the season that his team's mentality had struggled after an international break, but things are different after the latest one and he said: "We have a positive energy in the team at the minute."
He added: "The approach remains the same and the results are a consequence of daily standouts. It is about the daily ambition and I have felt this week the energy is growing."
Hear more from Le Bris on BBC Sounds here or by clicking play on the clip above
'Nobody ever talks about Le Fee'published at 12:35 BST 17 April
12:35 BST 17 April
Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini and BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes discuss Enzo Le Fee's contributions this season and whether he is an "unsung hero" for the Black Cats.
Barnes said: "He's a little magician! All of this talk about interest in Brian Brobbey/Robin Roefs/Noah Sadiki and yet nobody ever talks about Le Fee. He has been one of the players that's having one of the biggest influences in games."
Sunderland near another landmarkpublished at 11:59 BST 16 April
11:59 BST 16 April
Image source, Getty Images
Sunderland go to Aston Villa with a carrot dangling this weekend.
The Black Cats have won 46 points in the Premier League, a tally which is already their most in a top-flight season since 2010-11 (47). Should they land a win, it would be their biggest points tally since earning 57 in 2000-01.
It's been a remarkable return to the big time.
Regis le Bris' side have 12 wins in the Premier League during the campaign. That is as many as all three newly promoted sides managed combined last season and the most victories by a promoted team in a season since Fulham won 15 in 2022-23.
The only downer, Sunderland are without a win at Villa Park in six outings.
Roefs 'would benefit from staying for another couple of years'published at 13:39 BST 15 April
13:39 BST 15 April
Media caption,
The Guardian's Louise Taylor believes Sunderland goalkeeper Robin Roefs would "benefit" from staying at the club for "another couple of years", rather than move away and risk his career stalling.
The 23-year-old, signed from Dutch side NEC last summer, has been one of the Black Cats' standout performers this season, keeping nine Premier League clean sheets so far as Regis Le Bris' side look to finish in the top half in their first season back in the top flight after promotion.
Unsurprisingly, his excellent form has led to links with other clubs.
"The key thing about Sunderland is they are a proper team in the real sense of the word," Taylor told BBC Radio Newcastle. "They will suffer for each other, fight for each other and sacrifice things for each other.
"Off the pitch, they have a great spirit and atmosphere.
"He [Roefs] is still so young. I think he would benefit from staying there for another couple of years and getting all those games and all that experience.
"He could easily be on the bench somewhere and things could slip. Look at Illan Meslier at Leeds - he has slipped down to third choice now and at one point he was tipped to be France's number one. You've got to be careful what you wish for.
"But Sunderland, at this stage, will need to trade and I'm sure we will see one or two players, like it or not, probably moving on this summer. It is up to Florent Ghisolfi as to how he replaces them and whether he can be as clever as he was last summer."
Taylor and former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini also spoke about the balance between the Black Cats being able to offer regular football to potential transfer targets, while also being a possible "stepping stone" to another club if they are successful at Sunderland.
Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds or by clicking play on the clip above
Transfer links 'inevitable' but Sunderland 'hold upper hand'published at 09:58 BST 15 April
09:58 BST 15 April
Media caption,
It is "inevitable" that some of Sunderland's star players will be linked with other clubs this summer but the Black Cats "hold the upper hand" when it comes to their futures at the Stadium of Light, says BBC Radio Newcastle's Nick Barnes.
Striker Brian Brobbey was linked with German giants Bayern Munich earlier this week, while goalkeeper Robin Roefs is another player whose impressive performances this term have led to transfer speculation.
"All these players signed five-year deals so the club hold the upper hand in terms of not having to sell," said Barnes. "Brobbey doesn't have to go anywhere and nor does Robin Roefs if they decide they don't want anybody to leave.
"They do have that strength in giving those long deals and it underlines just how good of a job they did recruitment-wise. The only thing you can argue is that if a player becomes aware of interest from abroad, does it unsettle them?
"In theory, Sunderland hold the upper hand because those players signed long-term deals and if - and it's a big if - Sunderland were to reach Europe as well this season, that's another incentive for them not to leave.
"There are lots of ifs and buts and obviously lots of speculation and rumours."
Man City v Arsenal: Who do you want to win?published at 07:18 BST 15 April
07:18 BST 15 April
Image source, Getty Images
Two Premier League heavyweights are set to face each other this weekend at Etihad Stadium, as Manchester City host Arsenal.
Both teams go into the fixture with different targets. For Mikel Arteta's side, it is about extending their lead at the top of the table. For Pep Guardiola's side, it is about closing the gap and keeping themselves in the title race.
It is a fixture being labelled a title decider by some, so we want to know who you want to win this Sunday's match.
Will you be cheering on the Citizens or getting behind the Gunners?
'The fans love him' - Gabbiadini on Brobbeypublished at 16:04 BST 14 April
16:04 BST 14 April
Image source, Getty Images
Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini believes Brian Brobbey's all-action displays at the top of the pitch are "good value" and the fans at the Stadium of Light "love him".
Reflecting on the Dutch striker's performance in Sunday's win against Spurs, Gabbiadini told BBC Radio Newcastle: "Some of the moments in the game were fantastic. He was getting really heated and wound up, and I thought [Cristian] Romero and [Micky] Van de Ven didn't know what to do with him at times and didn't defend him very well."
However, Gabbiadini believes the forward was "petulant" when he pushed Romero into Antonin Kinsky in the Spurs goal as the Argentine defender tried to shield the ball back to the box. There were calls for the striker, who had already been cautioned, to receive a second yellow card.
"I thought it was a bit petty, actually," Gabbiadini said. "A bit petulant from him. I thought he put the team at risk because he could've easily got another yellow for that. It was one of them games where he got a little bit too wound up.
"I think he might be better getting away from the contact in a way, stepping to the side or trying to get the other side of the defender, so he can't see him and then pop in front of him."
Sunderland 'have momentum and no fear' in quest for Europepublished at 12:46 BST 14 April
12:46 BST 14 April
Gavin Henderson Fan writer
Image source, PA Media
Sunderland are now just two points off sixth in the Premier League and I can hardly believe the direction that our season has taken.
The win over Spurs feels significant. I can't lie, I was worried that Roberto de Zerbi would bring a new manager bounce, but they looked just as poor as they have all season and I think that was in large part to do with how well Sunderland played. If we had lost, I probably would have been doubting our credentials, but the victory means we are firmly in the race for European football.
And why would anyone doubt us? We have momentum and, importantly, no fear. That makes us extremely dangerous in this race, as many of the other teams absolutely need to achieve a European finish. Our players are not scared of anyone and given the way the past few years have gone for us, I would not be surprised if we keep up the pace right until the final day.
What should we do next week at Villa, then? I think more of the same - give the type of performance that we gave at Leeds and Newcastle, where we were horrible to play against and really improved in the final third.
Villa are not playing well at the moment and I suspect Unai Emery would much rather not be playing Sunderland, and I think that's probably the attitude of a lot of clubs right now.
Are we one of the most horrible teams to play in the Premier League right now, with our athletic, aggressive, fast-paced style of football?
'We keep surprising people, don't we?' - Bennettpublished at 15:15 BST 13 April
15:15 BST 13 April
Image source, Getty Images
Former Sunderland captain Gary Bennett says the Black Cats' mantra of "keeping going and making it to 40 points" this season is credit to head coach Regis le Bris and his players.
Adrian: Three points off fifth and a Champions League slot. Who'd have predicted that this time last year?
Robert: Another Superb performance by this young Sunderland side. Regis le Bris is, in my opinion, a good candidate for manager/head coach of the season. He has built a virtually new team in his debut Premier League campaign. He has developed a wonderful team spirit and togetherness that is excellent. Magnificent results have come thick and fast. I could not be happier. Ha'way the lads. And I'm feeling "Glad All Over" as it's the song the Crystal Palace fans sing when they score a goal and win.
Stephen: More proof that we need an "out-and-out" goalscorer. We created many more chances than Spurs yet our only goal came from a deflection.
Graham: Not the best this season but, as always, a team performance and Granit Xhaka pulling the strings - as usual.
Tottenham fans
Peter: A much better performance. Chances created but lack of quality upfront meant they weren't taken. I would like to have seen more urgency towards the end. You don't play your way out of the bottom three. As for the goal, one of those conceded by team at the bottom. We deserved a point, but that's not how football works. Still hope, three wins a minimum. COYS.
Colin: Listless. Boring. Pathetic. Big mistake not playing Xavi Simons until 95th minute. So many under performing players. Play the under-21s' side next week.
Roger: In the days when we had Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son consistently contributing over 30 goals a season we could afford to concede a few goals and still pick up the points. Unfortunately, they have been replace by very expensive flops when it comes to scoring. Likewise in midfield we have never come close to replacing the quality of Christian Eriksen, Dele Ali and Mousa Dembele. That is why we are where we are and unfortunately there are no quick fixes. Against Sunderland confirmed that hard work and effort alone will not be enough, we are going to have to rely on a lot of good luck if we are to avoid relegation.
Jeremy: I have been a fan of Tottenham since 1968 when my grandfather first took me to White Hart Lane at the age of five. Outside of the money these players get and the status it affords, where's their pride in playing for Spurs? They should be ashamed of themselves. Spurs is an iconic club and deserves to stay in the Premier League but these players don't. It doesn't matter how gifted they are individually, they are poor as a team. This is not the manager's fault. This is the responsibility of the players.
Analysis: Black Cats impressive againpublished at 17:12 BST 12 April
17:12 BST 12 April
Phil McNulty Chief football writer
Image source, Getty Images
Sunderland started this campaign as Premier League newcomers, with many predicting they would make a swift return to the Championship.
Instead The Black Cats, under the shrewd leadership of Regis le Bris, have not only survived but flourished as they sit in the top 10 and worthy of mention in the conversation about European qualification.
Sunderland were by far the better side here, only undermined by so many poor decisions in attacking situations that prevented them giving the scoreline a more emphatic appearance.
At the heart of it all was 33-year-old Granit Xhaka, an inspired summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen, who is the glue that gels this Sunderland side together.
Xhaka rarely wastes a pass, is always available, and gives off an air of calm and experience that is vital.
Sunderland saw off Spurs in relative comfort to continue their superb season.
Sunderland 1-0 Tottenham: What Le Bris, Xhaka and Mukiele saidpublished at 17:00 BST 12 April
17:00 BST 12 April
Media caption,
Sunderland boss Regis le Bris speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It's the Premier League and we expected a tough opponent in difficult situations. It was a must-win for them and we did well with good energy. It was really important to have our principles and we found a way to score which was still important."
On Sunderland's goals: "We want to improve our style of play, we still want to enforce our ideas and we still have room for improvement in the final third. Top 10 is a good aim and we have to be consistent. The most important is the improvement."
On next season: "We will prepare next season with the way we play now. After three weeks it was a difficult game and I was a bit worried because you never know what can happen. The lads were consistent and for me that is the next layer."
Sunderland captain Granit Xhaka, speaking to Sky Sports about his side's win: "After four weeks of not being at home, it was so important to give the fans what they needed. We knew before the season that we can beat everyone if we stay like this with the hunger and desire and take the three points."
On facing Spurs with a new manager: "Not the first time we are playing against a team who have changed manager. He [Roberto de Zerbi] has the mentality to win but we knew what we had to do and it was nearly a perfect game."
On Sunderland pushing for Europe: "Before the season, nobody expected us to be where we are. When I signed it was 2% chance of us staying up and now it is over 100%. Give this football club respect. We stay humble and see what we can do until the end."
On whether he is surprised about Spurs being in the relegation zone: "It's not my job to speak about Spurs. I am not a Spurs player. I look after these boys and this football club. We look after ourselves and let's see where we get to."
Sunderland defender Nordi Mukiele also spoke to Sky Sports, about his goal: "In football you have to take a chance and that's what I did. I took the shot and it went in so I am really happy for the performance of the team. The energy is very important after we lost three games in a row. We were at home, it was our tempo and our rules.
"We started very strong and the season is very long. We deserve where we are today because we work hard. Now is a bonus and now we have six games to show where we are. We have to stay humble."
Sunderland kept their sixth clean sheet at the Stadium of Light in the Premier League this season, with only Arsenal (8) and Manchester City (7) keeping more at home in the competition this season. Their 14 goals conceded at home is again bettered only by Arsenal and Manchester City (both 11).
Sunderland have beaten Tottenham Hotspur for the first time in the Premier League since 3rd April 2010, a run of 15 games without a win.
Image source, Getty Images
