Brighton back on the winning path
5 MAY 2024
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 1 ASTON VILLA 0 -
PREMIER LEAGUE - at the AMERICAN EXPRESS STADIUM, FALMER.
Winless in six, Albion welcomed fourth in the table Aston Villa to the Amex, the match being covered "live" by Sky Sports, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Following their disappointing 0-3 defeat at AFC Bournemouth on the 28 April, Albion Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi made three changes to his starting line-up from that game for Villa's visit, with Joel Veltman, Adam Webster and Danny Welbeck coming in for Odeluga Offiah, Valentin Barco and Mark O'Mahony, the latter three dropping down to the substitutes bench.
Last time out Villa had lost 2-4 at home to Greek side Olympiakos in the UEFA Europa Conference Semi-Final First Leg and for their visit to the Amex Head Coach Unai Emery made two changes to his starting line-up from that game, with Diego Carlos and Pau Torres replacing Matty Cash and Clement Lenglet.
Previously this season, in the reverse fixture at Villa Park on the 30 September 2023, the Seagulls suffered a heavy and unexpected 1-6 defeat, with Villa's goals coming from Ollie Watkins 3 (14m, 21m & 65m), Pervis Estupinan (26m, own goal), Jack Ramsey (85m) and Douglas Luiz (90+7m). Albion's goal was scored by Ansu Fati (50m).
Last season Villa did the double over the Seagulls, winning 2-1 at the Amex on the 13 November 2022, In the return game at Villa Park on the 28 May 2023 the Villa won 2-1, cilla had won their last five encounters with the Albion.
The Albion started brightly and early on Simon Adingra's volley was held by Villa stand-in keeper Robin Olsen and then defender Adam Webster headed over from Billy Gilmour's corner. Villa lost the services of recent Middlesbrough acquisition Morgan Rogers on 26 minutes to injury on 26 minutes, Matty Cash substituting. Just prior to the break keeper Olsen made excellent saves from Adingra and then Pascal Gross to keep his team in the contest.
The first-half was shaded by the Albion.
Half-time 0-0.
First action of the second-half saw a long-range strike by Cash just miss the target and at the other end Adingra's deft play sent Joao Pedro clear but Olsen made an excellent save to deny the Brazilian striker. Substitute Julio Enciso then went close with a volley over the bar and Gross was unlucky to see his goal chalked off on 70 minutes for a marginal VAR offside decision.
Next, Villa's John McGinn had his goal rightly disallowed for offside. Danny Welbeck then headed wide when well-placed before Albion were awarded a penalty on 87 minutes when Ezri Konsa fouled Adingra in the box and up-stepped Pedro whose penalty-kick was parried into the air by Olsen and Pedro was first to react by heading the rebound into the net for what turned out to be the match-winner. It was also Pedro's 20th goal of the season. 1-0.
The Seagulls saw out the remaining minutes with ease to record their first win in seven Premier League games.
Final-score 1-0.
Match stats:
Albion had 15 attempts at goal, with 8 on target and won 7 corners, free-kicks conceded - 13.
Villa had 2 attempts at goal, with 1 on target and won 3 corners, free-kicks conceded - 10.
TO SUM UP - A vital win for the Seagulls and a confidence booster for one and all. Simon Adingra was back to form and troubled the Villa defence throughout. The Albion can now look forward to Newcastle (11/5), Chelsea (15/5) and Man. Utd. (19/5) to conclude the season.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart Verbruggen; Joel Veltman, Adam Webster, Lewis Dunk (Capt), Igor Julio; Pascal Gross, Billy Gilmour (Carlos Baleba 88); Facundo Buonanotte (Julio Enciso 61), Joao Pedro, Simon Adingra (Valentin Barco 90+3); Danny Welbeck (Jakub Moder 88).
Subs not used: Jason Steele (G/K), Ansu Fati, Odeluga Offiah, Cameron Peupion, Mark O'Mahony.
Aston Villa line-up (4-2-3-1):- Robin Olsen; Ezri Konsa (Calum Chambers 90), Diego Carlos, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne (Albert Moreno 90); John McGinn (Capt), Douglas Luiz; Leon Bailey, Morgan Rogers (Matty Cash 26), Moussa Diaby (Jhon Duran 73); Ollie Watkins.
Subs not used: Joe Gauci (G/K), Clement Lenglet, Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Tim Iroegbunam, Omari Kellyman.
Referee: Robert Jones (Merseyside).
Yellow Cards: Albion: 2 - Pascal Gross, Simon Adingra. Aston Villa: 1 - Matty Cash.
Possession: Albion - 52%. Aston Villa - 48%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Billy Gilmour (Albion).
Attendance: 31596.
NEXT GAME:
11 MAY 2024 - NEWCASTLE UNITED - away - Premier League - kick-off 15.00.
Jack Kaye.