Regis Le Bris shares where Aston Villa should be finishing in the Premier League this season

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Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris has been speaking about Aston Villa ahead of their Premier League encounter on Saturday.

At the start of the season, many would have expected Sunderland to be where Aston Villa currently are in the table, and vice versa.

The Black Cats have started well on their return to the Premier League, picking up seven points from their first four games to sit seventh in the table.

Meanwhile, Villa only have one point on board, which has left them in the relegation zone, and they are yet to score in the top flight.

There has been criticism of their players – for instance, Paul Merson has admitted he doesn’t know what Jadon Sancho seems to be doing at present.

However, Le Bris is not taking anything for granted when Villa come to the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris calls Aston Villa a ‘top-six team’

Le Bris held his pre-match press conference on Friday, two days before Sunderland and Villa lock horns on Wearside.

The Frenchman described Villa as a “top-six team” and stressed that they would not be doing his side any favours, so the Black Cats must be at their best.

“They are a strong team,” Le Bris told the Sunderland media team.

“They haven’t started well and it’s been below their expectations. But they are a top-six team, no doubt, so we will have to play our best football.

“We won’t get gifts from them, so we have to be at our best.

“Confidence is always important. It is the case for us and for the best teams in the league.

“They are very well coached and have a good culture together and I’m sure they will improve, but we don’t know when.”

READ MORE: Aston Villa fans tell Unai Emery to name truly ‘special’ talent in Sunderland squad after brace and assist for U21s

Sunderland vs Aston Villa team news

Sunderland will be boosted by the return of Dan Ballard and Enzo Le Fee after both recovered from their respective injuries.

However, Luke O’Nien is still a week or two away from returning to action, while Dennis Cirkin is also expected to miss out once again.

Meanwhile, Villa are set to be without Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, Andres Garcia and Ross Barkley.

However, Boubacar Kamara is available after he came off the bench in the Carabao Cup loss to Brentford, while Victor Lindelof hopes to be in contention too.