Overview
- Dan Ballard and Enzo Le Fée are expected to be available, while Luke O'Nien remains one to two weeks from returning.
- Sunderland have seven points from four matches to sit seventh; Aston Villa have one point and have yet to score in the league.
- Regis Le Bris described Villa as a “top-six team” and warned his side must play their best football.
- BBC Sport notes Le Bris could become the first Sunderland manager since Ian McColl in 1965/66 to win his first three home matches.
- Villa are set to be without Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, Andres Garcia and Ross Barkley, with Boubacar Kamara available after a recent return.