while I understand your point, not sure I can agree. Villa have been an ever present in the prem,and played in europe while Sunderland have been relegated about 3 or4 times. so theres my case for the last 20 years. Going back to the 80s- champions and european cup winners vs a team that slipped into the 3rd division. Even in the early 70s before I can remember when Sunderland fluked the cup they were a poor second division side. They are a smaller club than Villa. IMO.
Sunderland can maybe claim to be the biggest of the clubs from the teams that dont play European football.
or at leat for 40 years.