Aston Villa vs. Sunderland Has a European Flair | OneFootball

It was not all too long ago that these two clubs were meeting in the Championship under very different circumstances. 

The 2017/18 season saw Villa come out on top twice against their next opponents, but that campaign would end in disappointment for both. Villa would blow the chance of winning promotion back to the Premier League by losing in the play-offs while Sunderland would endure one of the bleakest seasons in their history, finishing bottom and being relegated to League One. 

Both sets of supporters have had to endure tough times, more so Sunderland who would spend four seasons in English football’s third tier, but things are certainly looking much rosier now. 

Defying Relegation

Having secured promotion back to the Premier League last season, their first year back in the top flight has gone as well as any Sunderland supporter could hope. That boss Regis Le Bris has been able to steer his side clear of any relegation danger whatsoever is something every fan would have been more than happy with had you offered it to them at the end of the season. 

Europe is still not out of the question either. The expansion of European competitions to include more teams and English football’s success in the three tournaments this season has opened the door for mid-table sides to sneak their way into continental football. 

That is a possibility that would have seemed very, very distant just a matter of years ago when Sunderland were visiting the likes of Fleetwood Town, Burton Albion and Accrington Stanley. 

In Sunday’s opponents, they face a side who they would more than love to emulate, however. It is easy to forget that Villa were for many years not only a relegation threatened Premier League side, but then a Championship one for three years. 

Villa Seek to Punch European Ticket

It speaks volumes to the job Unai Emery has done that Villa are now rightfully seen as perennial contenders for European qualification. For Sunderland to take the next step and do what Villa have done will, of course, be very difficult and might seem somewhat fanciful, but there is no reason why they should not be dreaming of doing so. They are, after all, similar sized clubs on the face of it. 

But it is that European involvement that could give Sunderland an edge in this one. Villa played the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday, beating Bologna 4-0 to reach the semi-finals with a 7-1 aggregate win. 

The comfortable nature of the tie will mean that Villa are not feeling the impact of an often gruelling European clash. But the effect of 90 minutes on the legs will no doubt be there. Villa’s last Premier League game following that first leg against Bologna saw them draw 1-1 with Nottingham Forest, who they will also face in the semi-finals of the Europa League. 

As many clubs have discovered, qualifying for Europe is not always the glorious adventure it is cracked up to be. Newcastle, Crystal Palace and certainly Tottenham and Nottingham Forest have all struggled with balancing their domestic campaigns with their European trips. 

But that will not stop Sunderland fans wanting it. You only need to look at the Crystal Palace players’ jubilant celebrations in Florence after progressing to the Conference League semi-finals this week as evidence of why it is worth any domestic difficulty. 

Sunderland Firmly Grounded

Le Bris, however, is keeping his players’ feet firmly on the ground. “We’re approaching this next game with an underdog mentality because of their collective and individual quality.” he said. “They are smart and adaptive as a team but also they have gamechangers. 

“It’s a big challenge and it’s an exciting one. In this league, teams play in Europe most weeks. Aston Villa are consistent, well-organised, well-coached.” 

Emery, meanwhile, says his Villa side still have a lot left to do if they are to consider this season a successful one. “The challenge is to keep those two competitions being in the level we are. 

“And each competition gives us clear objectives. Premier League is the first objective through it to try to play competing in the position we are now, fourth or the top five positions, Champions League positions, European positions. 

“And another objective, a way for a trophy, is through Europa League, and in case winning this trophy, you are playing Champions League next year, but semi-final is not enough.” 

On a weekend filled with derbies and the small matter of a title-race clash, Aston Villa v Sunderland might go somewhat under the radar, but there is plenty on the line for both of these great clubs on Sunday.