Credit: Imago

Max Wilkins

Thu 23 April 2026 17:10, UK

Jadon Sancho had a horror cameo for Aston Villa in the win over Sunderland on Sunday.

The Englishman had been missing due to a shoulder injury after he was forced off in a mid-season friendly against Elche.

Despite picking up his issue during the March international break, the winger still missed three games across the Premier League and Europa League.

The Villa Park faithful were happy to see the 26-year-old back last time around, but they definitely weren’t pleased by his performance.

Sancho was shocking against Sunderland and so nearly cost his side the three points, with his post-match antics also coming under scrutiny.

Jadon Sancho slammed for going straight down tunnel vs Sunderland

The Manchester United loanee was brought on with 10 minutes to go against the Black Cats and made two errors that led to goals.

He lost the ball twice, and that ultimately allowed Trai Hume and Wilson Isidor to score within a minute of each other to bring the game level at 3-3.

Unai Emery was visibly fuming with his side, but was soon elated when Tammy Abraham netted a winner to seal a 4-3 victory in B6.

The Villa Park faithful went on to celebrate the three points at full-time, while Sancho walked straight down the tunnel, something which hasn’t gone down well with Bryan King.

Speaking exclusively to Villa News, the former scout said: “He’s got to show he wants to play for Aston Villa.

“I don’t like what he did against Sunderland at all. He just went straight down the tunnel.

“He should have had a feeling of relief. Villa didn’t give up and got the winner, and neither should he.

“He made the mistakes, and of course he’ll feel down, but he’s got to pick himself up.”

Sancho had a day to forget against Sunderland and could have the perfect opportunity to prove himself in the coming days and weeks.

Sancho’s future could be decided by form over next few weeks

The goals and assists may not be there for the ex-England international, but his performances were positive before the international break.

He has made 33 appearances in claret and blue this season, with eight of those coming as starts in the Premier League.

The majority of those have come since the turn of the year as he has genuinely been one of the better players recently in B6.

That wasn’t the case against Sunderland, but with a clash against Fulham next up, followed by Nottingham Forest in the Europa League, he has the chance to prove himself.

A potential free transfer to the Midlands may be on the line, and it all depends on what level of form he can reach before the end of the season.