Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine

Heroes & Villains => Match Threads & Player Ratings => Topic started by: PeterWithesShin on April 17, 2026, 08:44:04 AM

Title: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: PeterWithesShin on April 17, 2026, 08:44:04 AM
Sun 19th, 2pm ko.

3-1
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Deano's Mullet on April 17, 2026, 08:52:50 AM
3-1 Villa but Sunderland are no mugs
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Legion on April 17, 2026, 08:58:52 AM
2-0.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Smirker on April 17, 2026, 09:52:30 AM
A win would be huge. We're almost there  8)
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: rob_bridge on April 17, 2026, 09:57:36 AM
2.1 to us.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Baldy on April 17, 2026, 10:12:47 AM
No game for 6 days after this one. Begin with same starting eleven as they deserve it.

Villa 2 Sunderland 0
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Richard on April 17, 2026, 10:22:07 AM
My first game of the season so we better win and I think we will but it will be close. 2 1, Watkins and Rogers.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: eye digress on April 17, 2026, 10:39:35 AM
3-1 Villa but Sunderland are no mugs
They got a pretty fortunate result at home versus a very poor Spurs side last time out, and have generally been in a rut of poor form that would probably have had them alongside Burnley had it happened earlier in the season.

We should be murdering them and I think we will. It's our time.





Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Baldy on April 17, 2026, 10:47:59 AM
3-1 Villa but Sunderland are no mugs
They got a pretty fortunate result at home versus a very poor Spurs side last time out, and have generally been in a rut of poor form that would probably have had them alongside Burnley had it happened earlier in the season.

We should be murdering them and I think we will. It's our time.

They beat Newcastle and Leeds away in March, their form is not too bad. We should have enough to beat them but won't be easy.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: eye digress on April 17, 2026, 11:36:22 AM
They beat Newcastle and Leeds away in March, their form is not too bad. We should have enough to beat them but won't be easy.
Yes you're right; on closer inspection, it's been their home form that has been woeful, their away form having been pretty decent.

Still, we should be murdering them!
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Max Villan on April 17, 2026, 11:36:46 AM
Come on Villa, let's get the points against these and Fulham and wrap the top four chase up.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Dave on April 17, 2026, 11:37:54 AM
They beat Newcastle and Leeds away in March, their form is not too bad. We should have enough to beat them but won't be easy.
Yes you're right; on closer inspection, it's been their home form that has been woeful, their away form having been pretty decent.

Still, we should be murdering them!

Which is quite impressive, given they didn't lose a home game until the middle of February.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Crown Hill on April 17, 2026, 11:54:15 AM
Anybody else going to the fans forum beforehand?
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: PaulWinch again on April 17, 2026, 12:39:49 PM
They’re decent and physical. We need to play well.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: eamonn on April 17, 2026, 01:07:56 PM
Brobbey could easily have been sent off against Spurs. Wonder if we'll need the muscle of Mings or Lindelof to handle him.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Olneythelonely on April 17, 2026, 01:09:10 PM
I’d be keeping Pau firmly in place.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Dave on April 17, 2026, 01:11:47 PM
I’d be keeping Pau firmly in place.

Yup. Also given the narrative of the last week or so, I'd be very surprised if Brobbey is given much leeway. Reckon the referee will book him the very first chance he gets.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: darren woolley on April 17, 2026, 01:27:45 PM
Really need a win I'm going for a 2-1 Villa win.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Rigadon on April 17, 2026, 02:01:03 PM
We have struggled against park the bus tactics, which I expect them to employ.  But I have a feeling we will utterly smash this lot on Sunday.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Dante Lavelli on April 17, 2026, 02:06:15 PM
They should hopefully be on the beach after their cup final victory v Newcastle.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: PaulWinch again on April 17, 2026, 02:10:12 PM
They should hopefully be on the beach after their cup final victory v Newcastle.

Well they weren’t on the beach in the game that followed so it’s seems unlikely.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: walsall villain on April 17, 2026, 02:16:36 PM
They should hopefully be on the beach after their cup final victory v Newcastle.

Well they weren’t on the beach in the game that followed so it’s seems unlikely.
I don’t think ‘on the beach’ is a thing these days until maybe week 38.
My dream is we qualify for CL, win the Europa and then are completely on the beach for the last game which stops Arsenal winning the league and is another thing for them to bang on about forever (I do realise we’d lose at City beach or no beach).
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: eamonn on April 17, 2026, 02:38:24 PM
They can still get Europe, as half the league seems to be in with a shout with all the possible extra places. And their manager seems a very professional sort. They'll have a gameplan to spoil our play and attack us when possible.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: PeterWithesShin on April 17, 2026, 02:39:37 PM
They should hopefully be on the beach after their cup final victory v Newcastle.

No chance, they still have Europe to go for, plus they'd love to finish above Newcastle.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Dante Lavelli on April 17, 2026, 02:42:02 PM
Well I’ve got to say I’m very disappointed at their work ethic and professionalism.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: PeterWithesShin on April 17, 2026, 02:44:11 PM
The only sides with nothing to play for are Burnley (realistically) and Wolves.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Nev on April 17, 2026, 02:45:38 PM
This is much tougher than last night and it was always going to be but the nature of that stinking victory has cemented the feelgood factor and means we still have 2 routes to the CL.

Sunday games are generally flat but I don't feel that it will be the case this week, we are approaching the pinch point and each game feels vital. I'm glad that Sunderland will stay up, anything that punctures the media's tiresome Toon myths and legends is OK by me, but they will be a tough nut to crack. Organised, disciplined and difficult to break down so patience is the order of the day but we'll prevail.

2-1
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: paul_e on April 17, 2026, 03:01:48 PM
Pau didn't seem to have many issues keeping Brobbey in his pocket when we battered Ajax a couple of years back so I'm not sure I'd be too worried about him.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: RamboandBruno on April 17, 2026, 06:29:33 PM
I think it will be tough, but we are in the groove again, West Ham and the two Bologna games were excellent and I thought we played well enough against a battling Forest.

2-0 us (Watkins, Rogers)

Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Pau
Maatsen
Onana
Tirlemans
McGinn
Watkins
Rogers
Sancho
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Tony Daleys Shorts on April 17, 2026, 06:36:18 PM
I think it will be tough, but we ate in the groove again, West Ham and the two Bologna games were excellent and I thought we played well enough against a battling Forest.

2-0 us (Watkins, Rogers)

Martinez
Cash
Konsa
Pau
Maatsen
Onana
Tirlemans
McGinn
Watkins
Rogers
Sancho

We do seem to have got our hunger back.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: PeterWithesShin on April 17, 2026, 06:37:45 PM
Last time Sunderland beat us at VP their side included Elmo, Bardsley (the scorer) and Bent.

Last time they won at VP with a scoreline other than 1-0 we were European Champions. They've had two 1-0 wins since then.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on April 17, 2026, 08:01:28 PM
"Butterfingers, Butterfingers in goal, he's by far the worstest keeper the world has ever seen".



Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Brazilian Villain on April 17, 2026, 09:49:19 PM
Villa win, I'll go with 3-1*.

*6-1, if Legion's not in attendance.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Chap on April 18, 2026, 07:38:13 AM
3-0
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Tony Daleys Shorts on April 18, 2026, 08:19:57 AM
Last time Sunderland beat us at VP their side included Elmo, Bardsley (the scorer) and Bent.

Last time they won at VP with a scoreline other than 1-0 we were European Champions. They've had two 1-0 wins since then.

I think we tend to be more aware of the bogey grounds we visit rather more than the reverse where were the venue the opposition dreads coming to.

Sunderland as you point out have a poor record at Villa Park, we’re one of their bogey teams/grounds.

Long may that continue, another 4-0 home win will do nicely.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Tony Daleys Shorts on April 18, 2026, 08:34:11 AM
Our record against Sunderland.

Played - 185
Won - 83
Draw - 47
Lost - 55

Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Tony Daleys Shorts on April 18, 2026, 08:43:32 AM
From memory I think we only have losing records against 13 or so teams (*20 or more games played) There’s the obvious 5-6 teams then a few more surprising ones.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: PeterWithesShin on April 18, 2026, 09:09:55 AM
IIRC sodding Mansfield are one of them.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: PeterWithesShin on April 18, 2026, 09:11:15 AM
Although we haven't played them 20 times!
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Tony Daleys Shorts on April 18, 2026, 09:49:40 AM
I stand to be corrected but think this is the dirty dozen + 1.

Manchester United
Manchester City
Chelsea
Arsenal
Spurs
Newcastle
Liverpool
Luton Town
Leicester City
West Ham
QPR
Wimbledon
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: eamonn on April 18, 2026, 10:54:33 AM
What, no Palace?
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Tony Daleys Shorts on April 18, 2026, 11:04:54 AM
What, no Palace?

Nope, we have 23 wins to 19 defeats. We beat them regularly through the ‘70’s and ‘80’s.

Our recent record is of course poor, no wins in the last 7.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Clampy on April 18, 2026, 01:01:00 PM
IIRC sodding Mansfield are one of them.

Sodding Mansfield sounds like a village in the Cotswolds.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: ADVILLAFAN on April 18, 2026, 01:06:58 PM
Derby and Sunderland are teams we have a great record against.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Godfrey Brian on April 18, 2026, 01:52:36 PM
IIRC sodding Mansfield are one of them.

Ah Mansfield. Played four lost three drawn one! However the draw was the last time we played them and the result that took us up (Geoff Vowden RIP) so we're on an upwards trajectory with them at least!
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: cdbearsfan on April 18, 2026, 02:31:19 PM
I stand to be corrected but think this is the dirty dozen + 1.

Manchester United
Manchester City
Chelsea
Arsenal
Spurs
Newcastle
Liverpool
Luton Town
Leicester City
West Ham
QPR
Wimbledon

Also Watford.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Tony Daleys Shorts on April 18, 2026, 02:38:30 PM
Yes, Watford, thank you.

The most annoying one for me is Leicester, other than those twats we’re Kings of The Midlands. Doesn’t look like we’ll get chance to redress that balance anytime soon.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: BoVillan esq on April 18, 2026, 07:24:56 PM
Difficult game, no walkover, i'm going for 2-1 Villa.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: PaulWinch again on April 18, 2026, 08:07:55 PM
Difficult game, no walkover, i'm going for 2-1 Villa.

To be fair I can think of three walkovers this season - it’s not something we tend to do. Agree we’ll need to be right at it.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Flamingo Lane on April 18, 2026, 09:04:15 PM
v Walsall in the old third division. P4 W0 D3 L1
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Baldy on April 18, 2026, 10:13:17 PM
If Sunderland scrape a win tomorrow they are above Chelski. That's crazy.

We win, as good as qualified.

Tomorrow really is like a Champions League match.

COYVB.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air on April 18, 2026, 10:28:20 PM
Torquay. P 5  W 1  D 1  L 3. 
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: dave.woodhall on April 18, 2026, 10:30:37 PM
v Walsall in the old third division. P4 W0 D3 L1

And the gate money kept the ungrateful bastards in business.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: garyellis on April 18, 2026, 11:17:01 PM
I recall vividly the game against Sunderland in 1975 after we had already gained promotion at Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.
They had a huge following with 57,000 crammed into a vibrant Villa Park on a warm spring day.
They needed to win to get promoted and gave us a guard of honour as the teams came onto the pitch.
We despatched them 2-0, the imperious and very young Sir Brian on the score sheet.
Same again tomorrow please Villa.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: nigel on April 18, 2026, 11:31:21 PM
I recall vividly the game against Sunderland in 1975 after we had already gained promotion at Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.
They had a huge following with 57,000 crammed into a vibrant Villa Park on a warm spring day.
They needed to win to get promoted and gave us a guard of honour as the teams came onto the pitch.
We despatched them 2-0, the imperious and very young Sir Brian on the score sheet.
Same again tomorrow please Villa.

If I remember correctly, the other scorer was Ian Ross with a penalty to put us 1 up
Apparently if we’d have been winning when the penalty was given Jimmy Cumbes was going to take it, as every outfield player that day had scored that season.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: trinityoap on April 19, 2026, 12:55:48 AM
We were locked for that one after my uncle insisted we had time for another pint in the Yenton, Erdington Only game we missed that season between us.  Got season tickets following season.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: steamer on April 19, 2026, 09:50:49 AM
On the pitch after the game, magic day.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: taylorsworkrate on April 19, 2026, 10:06:31 AM
What an opportunity today is. Win and go 10 points clear of 6th.

Do not even consider fucking it up.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Goldenballs on April 19, 2026, 10:17:39 AM
What an opportunity today is. Win and go 10 points clear of 6th.

Do not even consider fucking it up.

Unless Everton beat Liverpool. Which I think they will
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Chris Smith on April 19, 2026, 10:21:30 AM
We were locked for that one after my uncle insisted we had time for another pint in the Yenton, Erdington Only game we missed that season between us.  Got season tickets following season.

My mate from school was too as he missed the bus rest of us got, he watched what he could from Aston Park.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Witton Warrior on April 19, 2026, 10:47:30 AM
I recall vividly the game against Sunderland in 1975 after we had already gained promotion at Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.
They had a huge following with 57,000 crammed into a vibrant Villa Park on a warm spring day.
They needed to win to get promoted and gave us a guard of honour as the teams came onto the pitch.
We despatched them 2-0, the imperious and very young Sir Brian on the score sheet.
Same again tomorrow please Villa.

My first match -  never be forgotten
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: JUAN PABLO on April 19, 2026, 11:26:56 AM
what tmes kick off . someone messaged me said its been changed ?     maybe winding me up the leicester twat
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: JUAN PABLO on April 19, 2026, 11:41:37 AM
sorry he has it mixed up with tottenham changed to 7 pm
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Dave on April 19, 2026, 12:50:56 PM
Mings, Maatsen and Barkley in for Pau, Buendia and Digne.

Otherwise as you were
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Percy McCarthy on April 19, 2026, 12:54:36 PM
Pau not in squad. Hope he’s just resting in his account.
Title: Re: Aston Villa v Sunderland Pre-Match Thread
Post by: Astral Weeks on April 19, 2026, 01:27:11 PM
I recall vividly the game against Sunderland in 1975 after we had already gained promotion at Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.
They had a huge following with 57,000 crammed into a vibrant Villa Park on a warm spring day.
They needed to win to get promoted and gave us a guard of honour as the teams came onto the pitch.
We despatched them 2-0, the imperious and very young Sir Brian on the score sheet.
Same again tomorrow please Villa.

My first match -  never be forgotten
I remember it well. My 21st birthday.
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