Sunderland target third straight win at Aston Villa, Ballard back
Chelsea hold talks for Sunderland’s Noah Sadiki, with Man United and others monitoring. The 21-year-old DM has 27 PL starts, is under contract to 2030, and would command a significant fee.
Combined XI includes Sunderland’s Roefs, Mukiele, Alderete, Xhaka and Le Fee, with Watkins up front. McGinn, Konsa, Digne, Tielemans and Rogers complete it ahead of Villa vs Sunderland.
Keiren Westwood left Sunderland on a free in 2014 and became a standout for Sheffield Wednesday, starring in back-to-back play-off runs despite later injury issues.
Flashback to 1975: Sunderland beat Bristol City 3-0 at Roker Park with goals from Joe Bolton, Pop Robson and Rod Belfitt, a springboard towards promotion sealed the following year.
Sunderland chase three straight league wins after beating Newcastle and Spurs. Dan Ballard returns, but Angulo, Traoré and Ta Bi remain out. Villa welcome Watkins, with Kamara sidelined.
Opinion hints Le Bris could bench Enzo Le Fée to unleash a Khazri-like option as Sunderland, secure in mid-table, fine-tune for the run-in.
