Aston Villa are fourth in the Premier League
Sunderland sit 10th, nine points behind their hosts on Sunday
Recommended bet: Aston Villa to win and both teams to score
Aston Villa remain on course to secure a top-five place in the Premier League this season and they can further enhance their prospects of earning a return to the Champions League by seeing off Sunderland at home on Sunday.
Villa head into the weekend's action three points clear of Liverpool in fifth, while Sunderland are 10th but are in good form after successive wins over Newcastle and Tottenham.
Team news
Unai Emery must assess his squad following Thursday's Europa League quarter-final second leg against Bologna and some rotation can be expected.
Emiliano Martinez has been struggling with a calf injury but could return in goal while Tyrone Mings is a doubt with a knock.
Boubacar Kamara and Jadon Sancho are both still absent.
Sunderland are without the injured duo Bertrand Traore and Romaine Mundle, while Nilson Angulo and Dan Ballard are both major doubts.
The stats
Villa have won 10 of their 16 home games in the league this season.
Sunderland have only won four of their 16 away matches since returning to the top flight.
This season's reverse fixture at the Stadium of Light ended 1-1.
Sunderland have scored in five of their last six Premier League games.
Ollie Watkins is Villa's top scorer this season with 12 goals in all competitions.
Brian Brobbey is Sunderland's leading scorer this term with six in all competitions.
The latest Aston Villa vs Sunderland odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Sunderland have defied expectations this season to be sitting comfortably in mid-table with just six games to go and the Black Cats will be delighted if they can stay in the top half between now and the end of the campaign.
The recent win over arch-rivals Newcastle will be cherished for a while and they followed it up with a narrow home success over Tottenham.
Those results will have given Regis Le Bris's side confidence that they can go on to finish higher, but a trip to Villa is one of the toughest away dates in the Premier League and Sunderland look set to be edged out in the West Midlands.
Villa have won 10 of their 16 home matches this season and know how important picking up another three points will be to their top-five ambitions.
Emery's side have had a busy week with the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Bologna played on Thursday and Sunderland, who can score at Villa Park, will be difficult opponents.
However, Villa can solidify their place in the top five with a narrow home win.
Back Aston Villa to win and both teams to score at 12/5 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Aston Villa vs Sunderland odds are available on LiveScore Bet
