Sunderland

Sunderland could sack French manager Regis Le Bris at the end of the season, if he fails to secure European football for the club. (Talksport, external)

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Former Sunderland striker Marco Gabbiadini says he "felt a bit sorry" for Habib Diarra after his attempted chip over Emi Martinez was saved with the score at 3-3 in Sunday's defeat by Aston Villa.

After being played clean through on goal by Enzo Le Fe, Diarra tried to scoop the ball over the oncoming goalkeeper but was thwarted and just 36 seconds later Tammy Abraham scored a stoppage time winner for the hosts.

Wayne Rooney described the effort as "absolutely the wrong decision", while some have pointed to teammate Chemsdine Talbi who was waiting alongside him for a tap-in if the ball was squared.

"I felt a bit sorry for him," said Gabbiadini.

"I heard a lot of comments from people saying he should have passed it to Talbi. Talbi was nowhere near him until the last second. He had to make the decision of what he was going to do and Talbi made up the ground.

"I don't think he saw Talbi, he was so clear. For me usually what you try and do there is play it through the legs if you can and keep it low. If you bring the goalkeeper's arms into it then they are covering more of that space. Martinez is a top goalkeeper.

"He could have chipped it over Martinez and it still not go over the line because he was so far out still. He could have had another touch. Play it through his legs, play it at his feet. You've got a chance of it rebounding to you.

"If you play it at the goalkeeper's hands at that pace they gobble the ball up.

"It was an unusual choice for somebody who is not experienced with one-on-ones. It was a great opportunity after a great pass from Le Fe. He will be disappointed but next time it might be different.

"It's hard to criticise. I don't think the Talbi pass was in his mind because he didn't arrive on the scene until he was ready to pull the trigger."

Listen to the full chat below or on BBC Sounds

Gavin Henderson
Fan writer

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I hate losing, but I don't especially mind getting beaten if I can come away and say the lads gave their all and I think that we can say that without any doubt that they did on Sunday.

All three of Sunderland's goals were quality and it gave me a sense of pride when all three goalscorers were lads who came through the EFL with us and have successfully made the step up.

Chris Rigg's first-ever Premier League goal was a corker. I think he's really turned a corner recently and you can see the stark improvement in his all-round game in recent weeks. That was the finish of a proper top-level footballer in the making and the type of goal I've been wishing we'd see from him all season.

Similarly, Trai Hume's first goal in the top flight was a belting finish. He's got so much more in his locker than a tough tackle and this finish was proof of that - he absolutely spanked it past Emiliano Martinez, who is one of the best goalkeepers on the planet.

Then came the Wilson Isidor goal, which really ought to have earned us at least a point. Considering he's not scored since October, and has barely had a sniff recently, that was the finish of a player who is capable of performing at the top level if he's switched on and you give him the right kind of opportunities. It was typical Isidor - quick, alert, off the shoulder of the last man and an instinctive finish.

Aston Villa, a team that looks certain to finish in a Champions League spot, have so much quality. Right now, they're at a different level than us and there's no shame in losing to them. Yet this season, I'd bet they haven't had too many tougher challenges over the two games than Sunderland and I think that says a lot about how good we actually are.

Instead of dwelling on the negatives this week, I'm going to carry all of these positives forward as we head towards the Nottingham Forest game, because we know we're capable of taking three points and putting ourselves even closer to the teams above us and, importantly, those European places.

Find more from Gavin Henderson at Roker Report, external

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Aston Villa and Sunderland.

Here are some of your comments:

Villa fans

Sebastian: A totally crazy game - with Villa dominating and a performance from McGinn worth two players. But you get sloppy and in this league you get punished against the run of play, hence the beauty of football and the uselessness of XG and any other invented measures apart from the only one that actually counts. Great positioning for Villa's goals, if we never see Sancho again I can live with that. Onwards and up the Villa.

Kim: Phew, what a result. Villa looked to be in control and comfortable and then two lapses in concentration left Sunderland with chances to win. Great to see Villa fighting to the end and not settling for the draw. Great finish by Tammy with a deft touch for the win. Amazing performance by Ollie Watkins and good saves by Emi too. Exciting end to the season looms.

Ian: Well what a rollercoaster of a game! Credit to Sunderland who I think have been one of the better sides to come to Villa Park. Having said that we had enough opportunities in the second half to make it a much easier win but got the job done in the end. Watkins and McGinn were outstanding so let's keep the momentum and confidence until the end of season. Keep the faith!

Matt: Wow. Not a game for the faint-hearted! A game well controlled by Villa up until the substitution and introduction of Sancho. What a waste of space. Not up to the pace, needs to go. On the other hand, Abraham and Digne linking up beautifully to save his blushes, stealing the points after nearly throwing them away but for a world class piece of goalkeeping from Martinez. Breathe...UTV.

Sunderland fans

Gilly: At last Regis le Bris has given us a team who believe in themselves as much as the fans believe in them. To Regis, thank you, thank you, thank you, and thank you.

Malcolm: I'm sure players respond to Regis because once the game starts he largely lets them express themselves. He's unlike many/most managers who try to orchestrate every move made turning players into robots. This calming approach must give our squad a great sense of being trusted and respected. Le Bris is bringing to us a whole new ball game. His post match comments are never less than intelligent, elegant, and he's ours.

Geoff: Great game for the neutral, and to be honest, if anyone told me we'd be competing for a place in Europe having avoided the drop two games ago, I'd snatch their hands off. Very proud to be a Mackem!

Stuart: Never saw that comeback materialising but our motto is "til the end". Probably didn't deserve a draw so fair play to Villa but it's been a magnificent season. Ha'way The Lads.

Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki says he has "mixed feelings" after the defeat by Aston Villa because they were so close to getting something out of the game after working their way back into it.

The Black Cats scored in the 86th and 87th minutes to level the game at 3-3 from 3-1 down, but were undone a few minutes later by a deflected shot off Villa substitute Tammy Abraham.

They even had the chance to win it just seconds before Abraham's goal when Habib Diarra had a one-on-one chance saved by Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez, while team-mate Chemsdine Talbi would have had an open goal if Diarra had passed.

Speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle, Sadiki said: "It was fun to watch and play against a good opponent with great players on the pitch.

"I think we can start better than we have in the last few games and we need to improve on it. They [Villa] exposed it because they are a good team, but we can't afford to do it again.

"We scored once and then all of a sudden we were level with them which is a great feeling. We had another chance which we didn't take and then they punished us again.

"It's mixed feelings. I think we showed mentality and that we can do it but it's all small margins."

Listen to Sadiki on BBC Sounds

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Pundits Wayne Rooney and Danny Murphy join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Manchester City 2-1 Arsenal

• Aston Villa 4-3 Sunderland

• Nottingham Forest 4-1 Burnley

• Everton 1-2 Liverpool

Josef Rindl
BBC Sport Journalist

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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.

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).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Villa's performance

What did you make of Sunderland's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Aston Villa make three changes from their midweek win over Bologna. Tyrone Mings, Ian Maatsen and Ross Barkley come into the side.

Lucas Digne and Emi Buendia drop to the bench. Pau Torres misses out.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen, McGinn, Onana, Tielemans, Barkley, Watkins, Rogers.

Subs: Bizot, Lindelof, Buendia, Digne, Abraham, Sancho, Luiz, Bogarde, Bailey.

As for Sunderland, well they're unchanged from their 1-0 win over Tottenham last weekend.

Sunderland XI: Roefs, O'Nien, Mukiele, Alderete, Mandava; Sadiki, Xhaka, Rigg, Diarra, Le Fee, Brobbey.

Subs: Ellborg, Cirkin, Ballard, Geertruida, Talbi, Mayenda, Isidor, Hume, Jones.

I was at the Stadium of Light for the reverse fixture earlier in the season and Sunderland played really well with 10 men in a 1-1 draw.

I watched the Black Cats again against Tottenham last week, and they are so well organised. They don't give a lot away.

I can see this being another tight game, but Aston Villa are at home and they really need a win to strengthen their grip on a Champions League place.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

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.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

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.

Grace Wheeler
BBC Sport

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

Listen to commentary of Aston Villa v Sunderland from 13:55 GMT on Sunday on 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Sunderland? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

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."

Click below to hear in full or listen on BBC Sounds

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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.

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

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."

Listen to the full discussion above or on BBC Sounds here

You can also hear more about how Brobbey came to Sunderland on BBC Sounds or by clicking play on the clip below

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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?

Make your selection

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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."

• Listen to Sunderland audio from BBC Radio Newcastle