<\/p>\n
Ollie Watkins scored twice for Villa, who moved level on 58 points with third-placed Manchester United, three clear of Liverpool.<\/p>\n
England forward Watkins’ early opener was cancelled out by Sunderland’s Chris Rigg but Watkins restored Villa’s lead in the 36th minute with his second headed goal of the game.<\/p>\n
Morgan Rogers gave Villa breathing space with a third shortly after the restart but Unai Emery’s team nearly threw it away as first Trai Hume and then Wilson Isidor scored within a minute for Sunderland.<\/p>\n
But there was still time for Tammy Abraham to grab a dramatic late winner.<\/p>\n
“What a position we are in, semi-final of European competition (Europa League) and pole position to qualify for top five,” said captain John McGinn.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
Nottingham Forest, involved in a relegation scrap with West Ham and Tottenham, fell behind against Burnley but Gibbs-White put on a second-half masterclass to seal an ultimately comfortable win.<\/p>\n
Forest are five points clear of 18th-placed Spurs, with Wolves and Burnley almost certainly doomed.<\/p>\n
Tottenham could only manage a 2-2 draw at home to Brighton on Saturday to move a point behind West Ham, who travel to face Crystal Palace on Monday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n