Aston Villa and Brighton face off at Villa Park in a clash of ninth against tenth in the Premier League. Both teams are looking to regain their footing after recent struggles.
Here’s a comprehensive preview of what to expect from this intriguing encounter.
Aston Villa Recent Form
Villa's form at home has been strong, winning their last three matches at Villa Park. They’ve only lost one of their last 14 home games, which underlines their reliability on home turf.
However, a 3-0 loss to Newcastle in their previous outing, compounded by a controversial red card for Jhon Duran, showcased their vulnerability on the road.
Brighton Recent Form
The Seagulls are in the middle of a challenging spell, going six matches without a win. A frustrating 0-0 draw against Brentford last Friday extended this streak.
Despite a dominant performance with 24 shots, Brighton's struggles in converting chances have left them hovering mid-table.
Injury and Team News
For Villa, Jhon Duran is suspended following his red card, while Matty Cash is also unavailable due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Jacob Ramsey might return, boosting their midfield options. Brighton welcome back Solly March after his long injury layoff, but James Milner, Danny Welbeck, and possibly Evan Ferguson remain sidelined.
Last Villa Lineup
Here is how Villa lined up in their last match:
Last Brighton Lineup
Here is how Brighton lined up in their last match:
Aston Villa vs Brighton - Who is the Referee and VAR?
Referee: Craig Pawson.
Assistants: Darren Cann, Dan Robathan.
Fourth official: Gavin Ward.
VAR: Stuart Attwell.
Assistant VAR: Stuart Burt.
Aston Villa Player to Watch
Ollie Watkins will be key for Villa. With Duran out, Watkins' ability to lead the line and convert opportunities will be pivotal for the home side’s attacking plans.
Brighton Player to Watch
Kaoru Mitoma remains Brighton's standout player. His pace and creativity on the left wing could provide the spark they need to break Villa’s defence.
Prediction
Given Villa’s home form and Brighton’s current struggles, a 2-1 victory for the hosts seems the most likely outcome. Brighton may pose threats, but Villa’s consistency at Villa Park gives them the edge.
Betting Tips
Tip 1
Back Aston Villa to win - their home form is among the best in the league.
Tip 2
Consider a bet on both teams to score, as Brighton will push to end their winless run.
Tip 3
Ollie Watkins to score anytime - Villa’s reliance on him will be significant.
