Second half swing and a dramatic finale

Villa stretched the lead to 3-1 moments after the restart. Morgan Rogers finished left-footed on 47 minutes after Watkins turned provider.

Régis Le Bris rolled his bench and it paid off late. Trai Hume made it 3-2 on 86 minutes, then substitute Wilson Isidor equalized a minute later from Enzo Le Fée’s assist. With the away end still celebrating, Villa found the decisive move. Lucas Digne, also off the bench, stood up a teasing cross and Abraham met it at the far post for 4-3 in the third minute of stoppage time.

Referee Samuel Barrott booked Nordi Mukiele late on, with Amadou Onana and Daniel Ballard cautioned for dissent as tempers simmered in added time.

The numbers behind the seven goals

Villa edged the underlying metrics too. Expected goals finished 2.67 to 1.76, with total shots 15 to 10. Both sides hit seven on target, but Villa created more big chances, seven to three, and logged 26 touches in the box to Sunderland’s 16.

Possession split 50-50 and passes were almost level at 396 to 398. Sunderland had the better of the duels at 54 percent and led final-third entries in the second half. In goal, Emiliano Martínez made four saves and posted a Sofascore Rating of 7.0, while Roefs ended at 5.8 with goals prevented at -0.72.

Sofascore Ratings and standout performers

Morgan Rogers topped Villa with a Sofascore Rating of 9.0, scoring the third and driving play between the lines. Watkins followed at 8.7 with two headers and an assist. McGinn delivered two big chances and an assist for a 7.6, and Youri Tielemans’ control drew a 7.4. Impact subs mattered too, with Digne registering an assist and Abraham a 7.4 thanks to the winner. Onana hit the woodwork, battled midfield well, then saw yellow in stoppage time.

For Sunderland, Hume’s late goal and energy earned an 8.0, Isidor’s sharp equalizer brought a 7.6, and Le Fée’s creative pulse rated 6.8. Habib Diarra was busy between lines and Rigg scored early before being withdrawn.

Track live momentum swings, xG race charts and every Sofascore Rating on Sofascore, where this match’s chaos looked as wild in data as it felt at Villa Park.