“I am so, so happy,” said Unai Emery after the match. His Aston Villa team secured a thrilling 4-3 victory against Sunderland.
The match took place at Villa Park on April 19, 2026. It featured a total of seven goals, showcasing an intense battle between both teams.
Ollie Watkins was a standout player, scoring two goals. His performance continues to impress as he has now scored over ten goals in all six of his Premier League seasons.
Chris Rigg scored for Sunderland, marking their first Premier League goal since May 2017. Yet, it was Tammy Abraham who clinched the win with a goal in injury time—just three minutes into stoppage play.
Aston Villa is now ten points clear of sixth-place Chelsea after this victory. They have also qualified for the Champions League, marking a significant achievement for the club this season.
Sunderland remains in contention for European qualification with 46 points. They need just one more point to ensure their survival in the Premier League.
The match was played in a spirit of relaxation, as both teams had already achieved their season goals before kick-off.
Régis Le Bris expressed disappointment despite the thrilling nature of the match. “I’m disappointed because we had the opportunity to win the game,” he stated.
Aston Villa will next face Fulham on Saturday. Meanwhile, Sunderland is set to host Nottingham Forest on Friday.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential injuries from the match.
