Six players are ruled out ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash between Aston Villa and Sunderland at Villa Park.
- Villa welcome back Martinez, Mings and Sancho after Thursday’s Europa League win over Bologna
- Kamara, Traore and Alysson remain unavailable for the Villans
- Sunderland are without Angulo, Ta Bi, Mundle and Moore for the trip to the Midlands
- Ballard returns to the squad but is unlikely to start after hamstring problem
The stage is set
Sunday’s 2pm kick-off at Villa Park represents one of the most significant Premier League fixtures remaining in the season.
Emery’s side sit fourth, seven points clear of the chasing pack with six games remaining, and arrive on the back of Thursday’s commanding 4-0 victory over Bologna that secured a Europa League semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
Sunderland, meanwhile, have won their last two Premier League games and arrive with genuine European ambitions of their own.
Both managers face important selection decisions. Here is the full picture from both camps.
Aston Villa — Team News
The most significant positive news concerns Emiliano Martinez. The Argentine goalkeeper missed last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Nottingham Forest with a minor injury but returned confidently for Thursday’s European victory and is available for selection on Sunday.
Similarly, Tyrone Mings returned to the matchday squad against Bologna, his availability adding defensive depth at a crucial period of the campaign.
Jadon Sancho is also back in contention. The 25-year-old came off the bench during the final fifteen minutes on Thursday following his shoulder injury absence and will hope for increased involvement against the Black Cats. Emery must manage the winger carefully given the volume of fixtures remaining.
On the negative side, Boubacar Kamara remains a long-term absentee with a serious knee injury that has ended his season prematurely. Bertrand Traoré is close to returning to training following a knee problem but will miss Sunday and possibly next weekend’s semi-final first leg. Brazilian youngster Alysson remains a doubt, recovering from a minor injury but not yet confirmed available.
| Aston Villa | Status |
|---|---|
| Emiliano Martinez | Available |
| Tyrone Mings | Available |
| Jadon Sancho | Available |
| Alysson | Doubt |
| Bertrand Traoré | Out |
| Boubacar Kamara | Out — season over |
Sunderland — Team News
Régis Le Bris also faces a mixed injury picture ahead of the trip to Villa Park. Dan Ballard has returned to full training after missing the last two games with a hamstring problem: a significant boost for the Black Cats. However, the centre-back will not be rushed back and is expected to feature from the bench rather than start.
Nilson Angulo will miss Sunday’s fixture. The winger making good progress from injury with a potential return against Wolves the more realistic target. Jocelin Ta Bi suffered an ankle injury on his Premier League debut against Fulham in February but has recovered faster than anticipated and could return within the next couple of weeks.
Romaine Mundle is facing a lengthier absence following hamstring surgery: Le Bris has indicated a full pre-season return is the priority. Goalkeeper Simon Moore is also sidelined with a broken hand sustained in training.
| Sunderland | Status |
|---|---|
| Dan Ballard | Available — bench likely |
| Nilson Angulo | Out |
| Jocelin Ta Bi | Out — close to return |
| Romaine Mundle | Out — surgery |
| Simon Moore | Out — broken hand |
Villa hold the fitness advantage
With three key players returning from injury, Villa enter Sunday in considerably better shape than they were seven days ago.
Sunderland’s absentees, particularly across wide areas, could equally limit Le Bris’ attacking options. The fitness picture favours the home side. Now they must deliver the performance to match it.
