Villa snatch last-gasp win against Sunderland in seven-goal thriller | OneFootball

Aston Villa strengthened their push for Champions League qualification with a dramatic 4-3 victory over Sunderland, as Tammy Abraham struck a stoppage-time winner in a thrilling encounter at Villa Park.

Villa made the perfect start, taking the lead inside two minutes when Ollie Watkins headed home from close range after a clever cross from John McGinn. The Black Cats responded quickly, however, with teenager Chris Rigg curling a composed finish into the far corner to level the match.

The hosts regained control before the break as Watkins grabbed his second of the afternoon, turning in Ian Maatsen’s driven delivery from close range.

Villa extended their advantage early in the second half when Watkins slipped a neat pass through for Morgan Rogers, who calmly slotted into the bottom corner to make it 3-1.

Just as Villa appeared to be cruising, the visitors produced a stunning late comeback. In the 85th minute, Trai Hume reduced the deficit with a superb strike from a tight angle before Wilson Isidor capitalised on a defensive slip to equalise moments later.

With the game heading towards a dramatic draw, Villa found one final decisive moment deep into stoppage time. Substitute Abraham met Lucas Digne’s cross inside the box and guided the ball into the net to seal a remarkable victory, keeping Villa firmly on course for a top-five finish

Incidents: The story of the match

1':

The match begins

Aston Villa leads Sunderland 1-0. Ollie Watkins scores with a header from close range into the top left corner, assisted by John McGinn.Aston Villa leads 1-0 against Sunderland. Ollie Watkins scores with a header from close range into the top left corner, assisted by John McGinn.

2':

GOAL Aston Villa: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) scores!

Ollie Watkins scores goal number 10 in the competition (32 matches)

The match is now 1-1 as Chris Rigg scores for Sunderland with a left-footed shot from the right side of the box into the left corner, assisted by Noah Sadiki.

9':

GOAL Sunderland: Chris Rigg (Sunderland) scores!

Chris Rigg scores goal number 1 in the competition (15 matches)

36':

GOAL Aston Villa: Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) scores!

Ollie Watkins scores goal number 11 in the competition (32 matches)

Morgan Rogers scores for Aston Villa with a left-footed shot from the center of the box. The score is now Aston Villa 3, Sunderland 1.

46':

GOAL Aston Villa: Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) scores!

Morgan Rogers scores goal number 9 in the competition (33 matches)

Trai Hume scores for Sunderland with a right-footed shot from a difficult position on the left into the top right corner. The score is now Aston Villa 3, Sunderland 2.

86':

GOAL Sunderland: Trai Hume (Sunderland) scores!

Trai Hume scores goal number 1 in the competition (33 matches)

The match is now 3-3 as Wilson Isidor scores for Sunderland with a right-footed shot from the center of the box into the right corner, assisted by Enzo Le Fée's through ball during a fast break.

87':

GOAL Sunderland: Wilson Isidor (Sunderland) scores!

Wilson Isidor scores goal number 5 in the competition (28 matches)

90 +3':

GOAL Aston Villa: Tammy Abraham (Aston Villa) scores!

Tammy Abraham scores goal number 2 in the competition (9 matches)

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match