Premier League: The Euro Dreams of Brighton and Villa

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Aston Villa

After a great weekend of FA Cup action the English top flight football is back with a full programme in midweek, and Premier League: Brighton vs Aston Villa is a clash to get the fans off their seats.

Sitting seventh and ninth Fabian Hurzeler’s Seagulls and Unai Emery’s Aston Villa are on the fringe of the race for Europe, but there will be seven, and quite possibly eight, teams qualifying for European competition and a good chance of five Champions League places in the Premier League. Take a closer look at the table and you can see how competitive this run-in is going to be, with just five points separating Chelsea, in fourth from Bournemouth in tenth; and both Brighton and Villa are within a win of fifth place.   

Both teams were in FA Cup action over the weekend with contrasting fortunes as Brighton went out of the quarter-finals in a penalty shootout loss to Nottingham Forest. Villa had a much more agreeable afternoon in Preston as they coasted to a 3-0 win over the Championship side, and now have a mouth-watering semi-final against Crystal Palace to look forward to.   

 

Talking Points

Hurzeler hoping for a reaction

The FA Cup quarter final against Forest turned into a slog for the Seagulls who went into the game in good form and with high hopes. But the first 90 minutes were hard work and, while Brighton had chances to win the tie in extra time, Matz Sels won the day with two saves in the shootout, Forest’s third cup win in a row by penalties. It was tough on Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen who has been superb as the last line of defence, and is the subject of attention from Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich.

The Seagulls have recovered well, after a mid-season slump, to haul themselves back into Euro contention and Hurzeler made a rallying cry to his players, while taking responsibility for the cup disappointment: “In extra time we did enough. Then we had some big chances and we weren’t able to score. I take responsibility,” he said.      

“The main thing now is to show a reaction. To be disappointed today and tomorrow, keep the heads up and show a reaction and prove we are able to stick together as a team. We need to have togetherness; we need to stick together not only in good phases but also in negative phases.”

This is a team full of goals, led by 23 year old striker Joao Pedro, who scored his eighth league goal of the campaign with a last gasp penalty in a win over Fulham. And with seven goals each the experienced Danny Welbeck and Kaoru Mitoma are likely to start, though Brighton will make a late check on Georginio Rutter, who came off with a knock against Forest.    

Despite carrying a number of injuries, with four league wins from five the Seagulls are making a run at the right time and the Brighton vs Aston Villa 2025 betting odds, here at SBOTOP, make the hosts favourites to win this six-pointer. But they meet a team which is getting pretty much everything right at the moment. 

 

Things are clicking nicely for Emery

Villa have been going well in the Champions League, seeing off Club Brugges to earn a quarter final place, they are learning to balance European and domestic responsibilities, and they coasted through to the FA Cup semi-final, even though they gave striker Ollie Watkins, winger John McGinn and centre back Pau Torres all a rest. Marcus Rashford, who has looked like a new player since his arrival from Manchester United, scored twice against Preston and he will hope to start again on Wednesday, with 13 goal Watkins alongside him. Another January recruit, Marco Asensio has been in super form too, but he might make way for McGinn or Donyell Malen, and I expect Spaniard Torres to come in for Tyrone Mings at the heart of defence.

Emery has the luxury of a strong and much improved squad which gives him competition for places, and that is a perfect situation for a team fighting on three fronts.           

 

History

With eight wins to two the Villans have had the better of the head to head Brighton vs Aston Villa 2025 results and there have been six draws, including a 2-2 at Villa Park in December.   

Both teams come into the game on a good run of form; Villa are on a winning streak of five and three away from home, while Brighton have won four from the last six, though are winless in their last two outings; both 90 minute draws, against Forest and Manchester City.  

 

Betting Tip

Brighton are at odds of 2.06 to win this clash with Villa at 2.88 and the Draw is at 3.36, and it’s easy to make a case for both teams. So I’m sitting on the fence and predicting a high scoring game, possibly a draw, and another 2-2 stalemate is priced at 11.08.  

   

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