Credit: Imago
Sat 18 April 2026 13:02, UK
John McGinn must deal with Reinildo as Aston Villa prepare to host Sunderland on Sunday.
The Scotland international is likely to start off the right for the Villans, just as he did in the mid-week Europa League win over Bologna.
A return to Premier League action is now on the horizon as the high-flying Black Cats prepare for a trip to Villa Park for the first time since November 2017.
The two sides met earlier this season as they played out a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light, in which Reinildo’s red card was the main talking point.
Revenge will be on the cards for the defender as Sunderland travel to face Villa, but McGinn will be on hand to shut him down.
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Reinildo out for revenge after Aston Villa red card
The Mozambique international had a nightmare the last time these sides faced off after being sent off with just 33 minutes to go.
That was just the tip of the iceberg in a short showcase that was hardly one to write home about in the north east.
StatReinildoMinutes played33Accurate passes12Passes into final third2Defensive contributions1Duel win rate (%)25Reinildo Sunderland stats vs Aston Villa
He lost three duels and contributed just one defensive action before ultimately being given his marching orders.
The 31-year-old kicked out at Matty Cash off the ball, and although the Villa man made the most of the situation, referee Samuel Barrott had little choice but to show a red card.
It’s fair to say that the Stadium of Light faithful were unimpressed by the Poland international and believed his antics had got the defender sent off.
That wasn’t echoed elsewhere as former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett echoed the decision to send the former Atletico Madrid man off.
He said: “The kick out by the Sunderland player was rather silly, and it left referee Sam Barrott with little option other than to show a red card.
“His reaction after receiving the red card is likely to be looked at very carefully by the footballing authorities, and he may face further sanction.”
Villa now prepare to face Sunderland again, and although Reinildo may want revenge, he must be stopped from achieving that aim.
John McGinn must do job vs Sunderland
If the claret and blue outfit are going to keep the Black Cats’ left-back quiet, McGinn will have a big say.
The Scot started and featured across 64 minutes against Bologna in the Europa League and grabbed an assist in the 4-0 win.
Although his attacking work will be important, he will have to be defensively sound to get one over on Reinildo at Villa Park.
Last time out he won five duels and three tackles while also winning two free kicks for his side, which helped the Villans on their way to victory.
If he can do exactly that once again, this time against Sunderland, it will stop the Mozambican from getting one over on the B6 club this season.
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