2 APRIL 2025
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0 ASTON VILLA 3
PREMIER LEAGUE -
at the AMERICAN EXPRESS STADIUM, FALMER.
Following the disappointment of their FA Cup exit to Nottingham Forest the previous weekend, the Albion were back at the Amex for a Premier League clash with Aston Villa, the game being broadcast over the airwaves by Talksport and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Having gone out of the FA Cup 4-3 on penalties to Forest on the 29 March, the Albion made five changes to their starting line-up from that game, with Lewis Dunk, Diego Gomez, Simon Adingra, Brajan Gruda and Joao Pedro replacing Adam Webster (injured), Carlos Baleba, Yankuba Minteh, Georginio Rutter (injured) and Danny Welbeck.
Last time out Aston Villa won 3-0 at Preston North End in a FA Cup Quarter-Final tie on the 30 March and for their visit to the Amex Head Coach Unai Emery made two changes to his starting line-up from that game, with Pau Torres and John McGinn coming in for Tyrone Mings and Marco Asensio.
In their meetings in the Premier last season it was honours even, with Villa winning 6-1 at Villa Park on the 30 September 2023, with their goals coming from Ollie Watkins 3 (14m, 21m & 65m), Pervis Estupinan (26m, own goal), Jacob Ramsey (85m) and Douglas Luiz (90+7m). Albion's consolation was scored by Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati (50m). In the return game at the Amex on the 5 May 2024 the Albion won 1-0 with Joao Pedro (87m) scoring the decider.
Previously this season the teams drew 2-2 at Villa Park on the 30 December 2024, with Albion's goals coming from Simon Adingra (12m) and Tariq Lamptey (81m). Villa's goals came from Ollie Watkins (36m, penalty) and Morgan Rogers (47m).
Villa got off to a strong start, defender Ezri Konsa sent a header straight at Albion keeper Bart Verbruggen and John McGinn headed wide when well-placed. Villa continued to flourish as Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford got on the end of Boubacar Kamara's lofted pass but sent his shot wide of the post and then Matty Cash sent a volley over the Brighton crossbar.
Albion then woke up and Simon Adingra fired a shot just wide of the target before Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez made a superb save when tipping Yasin Ayari's free-kick on to a post. All square at the break. Half-time 0-0.
The deadlock was broken on 51 minutes when keeper Martinez saved Jan Paul Van Hecke's header from a corner and quickly rolled the ball to Morgan Rogers whose pass sent Rashford clear of the Albion back-line before dinking the ball over Verbruggen for a classic counter goal. 0-1.
The Seagulls thought they had equalised when Adingra slammed the ball home but VAR intervened and judged that Kaoru Mitoma had handled the ball in the build-up to the goal. The Albion made a quadruple substitution on 72 minutes, with Mats Wieffer, Eiran Cashin, Carlos Baleba and Danny Welbeck replacing Jack Hinshelwood, Lewis Dunk, Diego Gomez and Joao Pedro.
It was Cashin's Premier League debut for the Albion. The visitors increased their lead on 78 minutes when PSG loanee substitute Marco Asensio fired in a low shot after good approach work by Cash and Rogers. 0-2.
The Albion were now looking a weary outfit and in the tenth minute of time added on the impressive Rogers fed substitute Donyell Malen who sent a cross-shot past Verbruggen for his team's third. 0-3.
A bad evening at the office for the Albion.
Final-score 0-3.
Match stats:
Albion had 11 attempts at goal, with 4 on target and won 4 corners, free-kicks conceded - 16.
Aston Villa had 8 attempts at goal, with 5 on target and won 0 corners,free-kicks conceded - 11.
TO SUM UP - Second match running and another disappointing result. Again the forwards failed to deliver. Two injured players were very much missed, Adam Webster at the heart of the defence and in the number ten role Georginio Rutter. Head Coach Fabian Hurzeler and his coaches need to shake things up.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart VERBRUGGEN; Jack HINSHELWOOD (Mats WIEFFER 72), Jan Paul VAN HECKE, Lewis DUNK (Capt) (Eiran CASHIN 72), Pervis ESTUPINAN; Diego GOMEZ (Carlos BALEBA 72), Yasin AYARI; Simon ADINGRA, Brajan GRUDA (Matt O'RILEY 84), Kaoru MITOMA; Joao PEDRO (Danny WELBECK 72).
Subs not used: Carl RUSHWORTH (G/K), Solly MARCH, Yankuba MINTEH, Charlie TASKER.
Aston Villa line-up (4-2-3-1):- Emiliano MARTINEZ; Matty CASH (Axel DISASI 81), Ezri KONSA, Pau TORRES, Lucas DIGNE; Boubacar KAMARA, Youri TIELEMANS (Amadou ONANA 65) Morgan ROGERS (Donyell MALEN 88), John McGINN (Capt), Jacob RAMSEY (Marco ASENSIO 65); Marcus RASHFORD (Ollie WATKINS 65).
Subs not used: Robin OLSEN (G/K), Andres GARCIA, Ian MAATSEN, Tyrone MINGS.
Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).
Fourth Official: Simon Hooper.
VAR Official: Matthew Donohue.
Yellow Cards:
Albion: 2 - Jack Hinshelwood, Danny Welbeck.
Aston Villa: 3 - Emiliano Martinez, Axel Disasi, Ollie Watkins.
Possession: Albion - 56%. Aston Villa - 44%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Marco Asensio (Aston Villa).
Attendance: 31230.
NEXT GAME:
12 APRIL 2025 - LEICESTER CITY - Home - Premier League - kick-off 15.00,
Jack Kaye.
7 April 2025.