Habib Diarra missed opportunity leaves Sunderland coach disappointed

Sunderland manager Régis Le Bris admitted disappointment after Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra missed a great opportunity in Sunderland’s 4-3 Premier League defeat at Aston Villa on Sunday.

Chris Rigg scored his first Premier League goal for Sunderland to cancel out Ollie Watkins’ early opener. However, Watkins struck again on 36 minutes before Morgan Rogers scored within 60 seconds of the restart to put Aston Villa firmly in control.

Dibu holding his nerve ⛔️

Such a big moment, @emartinez 😮‍💨 https://t.co/rZEXYeU0e0 pic.twitter.com/KAg8cEArBb

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) April 19, 2026

Sunderland rallied, though, and two substitutes turned the game on its head as Trai Hume and Wilson Isidor scored within a minute to draw level.

The Senegal midfielder was then denied by the outstretched arm of Emiliano Martínez when through on goal, before Tammy Abraham punished Sunderland with a deft stoppage-time finish to deny the visitors a point.

‘I’m not sure it was best decision’

Speaking post-match, Le Bris told Sunderland website: “I am a bit disappointed because we had the opportunity to win the game. Habib had a 1v1, but then we conceded a late goal, so I am a bit disappointed.

“But it was the other way around that cost us the goal at the end of the match. It was a one-on-one. I’m not sure it was the best decision, but that’s how it is. We have to accept the outcome of that play, because the goalkeeper also put in a good performance.”

Diarra has to beat the keeper

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reflected on Diarra’s missed opportunity. He said: “We need strikers and goalkeepers. That was the match point: three points for them and not for us.

“At this stage, Aston Villa were out of the running. He (Habib Diarra) has to score. He absolutely has to score. He has to beat the keeper. He wanted to be too clever, too clever.

“Hats off to the keeper, who made a good save, but what an opportunity! He could even have made a lateral pass to his teammate (Chemsdine Talbi, positioned on the left side).”

A youth product of Mulhouse and Strasbourg, Diarra signed his first professional contract with Strasbourg on 18 August 2021. He made his professional debut with Strasbourg in a 5-1 Ligue 1 win over Saint-Étienne on 17 October 2021.

In 2026, Diarra moved to Sunderland after signing a five-year contract.