Though completing a 7-1 aggregate win over Bologna in midweek increased hopes of UCL qualification through the UEFA Europa League (UEL), Villa were keen to consolidate their top-five status in the league, and duly edged in front with less than two minutes on the clock.
John McGinn ran onto a Matty Cash ball and lifted a delicate cross from the byline over to the far post, where Ollie Watkins was waiting to nod in from a yard out.
But Sunderland’s own European push was still on the cards, and they were back level inside 10 minutes when Noah Sadiki laid it off for Chris Rigg to curl a perfect left-footed finish beyond Emiliano Martínez.
The 18-year-old’s first PL strike also made him Sunderland’s third-youngest ever PL scorer, but it didn’t do much to change the momentum.
The hosts soon hit the bar through Amadou Onana, before a lull in play led to Villa reclaiming the lead.
It came from a similar situation to their first, though this time Ian Maatsen’s cross from the left was whipped across the face with power for Watkins to divert into the empty net.
A strong end to the first half from Sunderland brought promise of another leveller, but Villa channelled the same energy to net again moments into the second half.
McGinn regained possession and initiated a silky passing move, with Watkins slotting Morgan Rogers through for the England international to place into the far bottom corner.
Villa looked to extend their lead through numerous counterattacks from there, but they were totally unprepared for a late rally from their opponents.
Trai Hume pulled one back by thieving it off Jadon Sancho, advancing towards goal and firing into the far top corner from a tight angle.
Then, just moments later, Enzo Le Fee’s ball sent Wilson Isidor flying through, and the Haitian took advantage of a slip from Martínez to find the near post and send the away end into bedlam.
But there was to be one final twist in favour of the hosts, and a thrilling encounter was complete when Lucas Digne’s whipped cross was met with a delicate touch by fellow substitute Tammy Abraham to help it past Robin Roefs.
Despite taking nothing away from this game, Sunderland are still just two points from sixth place, while Aston Villa now have a bit of breathing room to shift some focus to the remainder of their UEL campaign.