'Sunderland are a good team' – Aston Villa pair John McGinn and Tammy Abraham react to seven-goal thriller
John McGinn admits Aston Villa frustrations despite late win as Tammy Abraham praises Sunderland after dramatic 4-3 clash
Aston Villa captain John McGinn admitted his side were left frustrated despite securing a dramatic late victory over Sunderland, while matchwinner Tammy Abraham praised the visitors after a chaotic encounter at Villa Park.
Villa edged a thrilling 4-3 win thanks to Abraham’s stoppage-time goal, but the hosts had seen a 3-1 lead wiped out late on as Sunderland mounted a spirited comeback. Reflecting on the performance, McGinn acknowledged both Villa’s control and Sunderland’s threat
He said: “We were in control of the game, had chances to go 4-1 or 5-1 up, but Sunderland are a good team, they put us on the back foot,” McGinn told Sky Sports. “We've got to manage the game better. To go 3-3 is something we are definitely not happy with.”
Despite the late winner, McGinn admitted there were mixed feelings inside the dressing room. “We're buzzing. We will be frustrated in there. We know we won the game, but we've got high standards from ourselves as a group. What a position we are in, semi-final of European competition and pole position to qualify for the top five.
“We can go and achieve what not many Aston Villa players have done for a long time. We're keen to do that, and we're driven. Five big games left to try and get ourselves over the line. When you see the difference of the two points big Tammy Abraham has added for us at the end, it’s huge for us. We knew how important this game was. It wasn't perfect, but who cares at the end of the day?”
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Abraham, who struck the decisive goal in the 93rd minute, also pointed to Villa’s lapses after allowing Sunderland back into the contest. “I think we got too relaxed and made a few mistakes, and Sunderland punished us. They are a good team,” he said.
“As a striker, watching Ollie [Watkins] today, he was staying alive in the box, and when I came on, I told myself to do the same thing. Luckily for me, I was in the right place at the right time. We are a team that believes in ourselves. We are doing so well this season, we just have to carry on with the confidence.”
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