Editorial: Feelings Of Sadness, Anger & Hope After Sunderland v Villa

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 19: Wilson Isidor of Sunderland celebrates after he scores the third Sunderland goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Sunderland at Villa Park on April 19, 2026 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Sunderland AFC via Getty Images) | Sunderland AFC via Getty Images As I sat down to type this week’s Editorial column and thought about what I wanted to talk about, I couldn’t get Habib Diarra out of my mind. I highly doubt that any of you need me to explain why, but I shall.

Sunderland’s unbelievable quickfire comeback at Aston Villa on Sunday almost reached its perfect completion when a through ball found Diarra, and as he found himself one versus one against Emi Martinez — the man twice voted as the best goalkeeper in the world — he came out the loser. He opted to try and lift the ball over him, and to the credit of Martinez, he pulled off a fantastic reflex stop to deny Sunderland the winner. The misery was further compounded as just moments later, Villa managed to go down the other end and stick the ball in the net.

The Premier League is absolutely brutal, and instead of talking about an amazing effort to come back from 3-1 down, most of the conversation was — unfairly, in my opinion — centred around Diarra. I sort of get it, though. When emotions are high, people are going to point the finger of blame, particularly considering he had such a great opportunity to win us all three points against a brilliant side.

Hindsight is wonderful. Aye, I think he should have just done what Wilson Isidor did and buried the ball either side of the goalie, but in that split second, he thought his best chance to do it was to lift it. It never came off, and that’s just shite for him and shite for us, but it’s hardly the crime of the century.