Tammy Abraham scored a 93rd-minute winner to help Aston Villa boost their Champions League qualification hopes with a thrilling 4-3 win over Sunderland.

Villa were about to lose ground in the top-five race having had a 3-1 lead wiped out in 58 seconds just before the 90th minute.

But Abraham got on to the end of fellow substitute Lucas Digne’s low curling cross and deflected the ball into the net off his shin.

The result meant Villa remained fourth in the Premier League table and stretched their lead over sixth-placed Chelsea to 10 points with just 15 left to play for.

Ollie Watkins had needed just two minutes to open the scoring for the hosts when he headed in John McGinn’s cross from close range at the back post, although Sunderland soon equalised through teenager Chris Rigg’s curling effort into the far corner.

Watkins restored Villa’s lead with another header, this time converting Ian Maatsen’s cutback in the 36th minute.

And just after the restart the 30-year-old played in Morgan Rogers, who easily beat Sunderland keeper Robin Roefs with a low finish.

Villa seemed to be cruising towards a trouble-free win but Jadon Sancho gave the ball away to Trai Hume, who curled in a strike from a tight angle in the 86th minute.

Sancho then gave the ball away again allowing Wilson Isidor to go clean through and get Sunderland back level with a low finish.

The visitors even had the chance to win it seconds before Abraham’s goal when Habib Diarra had a one-on-one chance saved by Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez, while team-mate Chemsdine Talbi would have had an open goal if he had passed.

Aston Villa analysis: Watkins stars to boost World Cup chances

Abraham’s strike was just his third goal for Villa since he rejoined the club from Besiktas in January.

His last goal – a late equaliser against Leeds seven league games ago in February – was equally dramatic.

Villa need just six more points to ensure Champions League qualification, with Premier League games against Fulham, Tottenham, Burnley, Liverpool and Manchester City still to come.

Abraham may have got the winner but the striker he replaced, Watkins, was Villa’s star with two goals and an assist.

The 30-year-old’s performance will also have helped his chances of making England’s World Cup squad.

Watkins has now scored 16 goals in all competitions this season and five in four games since he was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s last England squad in March.

Harry Kane is the only Englishman playing in the top five leagues to have scored more goals.

Sunderland analysis: Black Cats still have European hopes despite loss

Having recorded back-to-back wins over Newcastle and Tottenham before their loss at Villa, Sunderland are still very much in the race for European football next season.

The Black Cats are 11th but only two points behind Chelsea in sixth.

Sunday’s match was a case of what might have been.

When through on goal, Diarra tried to lob Villa keeper Martinez but sent his effort straight to the Argentine stopper. Meanwhile, team-mate Talbi was waiting alongside him for a tap-in.

There were 58 seconds between Sunderland’s second and third goals.

There were 36 seconds between Martinez’s save and Abraham’s winner.

What’s next for these teams?

Aston Villa are away to Fulham next Saturday (12:30 BST) before they travel to Nottingham Forest for their Europa League semi-final first on Thursday, 30 April (20:00 BST).

Sunderland are at home to Forest in the Premier League on Friday (20:00 BST). (BBC)

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