Gareth Barry's 41st minute strike set up their belated success which was sealed in the 77th minute by Liam Ridgewell a minute after Barry had wasted a penalty.
Despite the win, Villa have completed the season with their worst Premiership points tally which has left numerous question-marks about the future of several key figures.
Sunderland, who pulled back a late goal through Danny Collins, go down in the knowledge that they face a long period of rebuilding after a disastrous season.
Surprise absentees from Villa's side were skipper Olof Mellberg and Milan Baros, The official explanation was that they had been left out of the line-up because of the forthcoming World Cup.
Ironically, there were three former Sunderland players in the Villa team - Thomas Sorensen, Gavin McCann and Kevin Phillips. They all quit the Black Cats after a previous relegation season.
Both McCann and Phillips were prominent in the early exchanges but there was a definite end of season air about the game.
Villa dictated long spells but their lack of finishing power, which has been their major fault this season, was always evident.
Sunderland played with a freedom of a team already doomed to relegation. Their moves were often neat but lacked finishing power as emphasised when Tommy Miller should have made a better connection than he did with an early shot on the turn.
Record signing Juan Pablo Angel, who was possibly making his last appearance for Villa, was a busy player but failed to carve out any real opportunities.
The Colombian had a wonderful opportunity to open his account following a swiftly executed four-man move but Angel's low shot was easily dealt with by Kelvin Davis.
Phillips was generally the more dangerous as he indicated with a flashing header from an Aaron Hughes cross which flashed just wide of the post.
But it was Barry who finally scored the first goal - only his third Premiership strike of the season - to finish off another neat movement involving Steven Davis, Angel and Phillips before Villa's acting skipper casually stroked a low left-footed shot into the corner of the net.
Only the woodwork prevented Villa going further ahead when Collins deflected a shot against his own post.
The second half was a more open affair as Villa generally had the upperhand. Davis, in particular, enjoyed the carefree atmosphere. In quick succession the hugely talented Irishman, often attracting attention from the Premiership elite, shot over the bar on the run.
Later a defence-splitting move ended with Davis smashing his shot against the post and McCann missing the rebound as Villa threatened to over-run the North-East club.
Angel wasted another opportunity when his shot was deflected to safety by Davis as Sunderland were outclassed.
Barry should have added a second goal after Gabriel Agbonlahor had been brought down by Gary Breen but he was far too casual as Davis pushed the shot up onto the bar and out for a corner.
James Milner's cross eventually ended with Ridgewell heading home Villa's 77th minute second goal which also earned him a booking for his over-enthusiastic celebrating.