Aston Villa ended their mini-skid with a win on a day former player James Milner made Premier League history for Brighton & Hove Albion in a 1-0 affair at Villa Park on Wednesday.
Milner came off the bench in the first half for Carlos Baleba, making his 653rd Premier League appearance to tie Gareth Barry for the most appearances in the history of England’s top division.
WATCH — Aston Villa v Brighton full match replay
The veteran midfielder was solid against his former team, who got the last laugh when Tyrone Mings headed a corner kick off Tyler Hinshelwood and past Bart Verbruggen late in the contest.
Villa stay three points behind second-place Man City, six points back of leaders Arsenal.
Brighton continue to slump and remain 14th with 31 points.
Villa find a way on fumes against punchless visitors
This was anything but pretty for Unai Emery’s men, who may all be hoping for a rest come Saturday in the FA Cup. The Hinshelwood own goal was well-celebrated but also fitting as a decider because almost everyone Unai Emery plugged into this front three struggled to affect the game. Tammy Abraham was bright off the bench but this win was also an indictment on Brighton’s ice-cold front three. Fabian Hurzeler’s men have lost three-of-four and boast just a single Premier League win since the calendar hit December. For those scoring at home, the Seagulls are 1W-6D-6L in that run with the lone win coming against 19th-place Burnley. We’re pretty sure no one’s truly impressed with Wednesday’s result.
What’s next?
Villa host Newcastle United in the FA Cup at 12:45pm ET Saturday, then welcome Leeds to Villa Park a week later in the league.
Brighton are off to Liverpool for a 3pm Saturday date in the FA Cup, then visit Brentford the following Saturday.
Aston Villa vs Brighton final score: 1-0
Jack Hinshelwood o.g. 86'
Aston Villa vs Brighton live updates — by Nick Mendola
Jack Hinshelwood own goal — Aston Villa 1-0 Brighton
Abraham’s been good for Villa, who have a corner.
The ball is swung toward the near post and Mings, on his 200th Villa appearance, turns the ball off Hinshelwood and behind Verbruggen.
Villa Park needed that, and there’s an audible release in Birmingham.
Moves a-plenty
The quests for a goal continues, as Villa bring Ollie Watkins and Amadou Onana off in favor of Tammy Abraham and Alysson Edward.
Brighton remove Kaoru Mitoma, Welbeck, and Diego Gomez for Yankuba Minteh, Charalampos Kostoulas, and Harry Howell.
Under 10 minutes plus stoppage to go in Aston.
Subs
Villa aren’t happy with their tame attack. Leon Bailey and Ross Barkley enter for Jadon Sancho and Buendia.
Brighton remove Jan Paul van Hecke for Oliver Boscagli.
Zeroes on the board into the final half hour.
Halftime — Aston Villa 0-0 Brighton
Old heads unite for a half-chance as Milner cues up a Danny Welbeck chance that cannot get the better of Emiliano Martinez.
Shots are 10-2 to Villa. though that figure betrays the actual danger of the opportunities.
Buendia wins corner
The Argentine steps in from the right and has a 20-yard shot that spins off of Jack Hinshelwood and goes out for a corner.
Villa can’t do anything with the set piece.
History!
Carlos Baleba is on yellow and plays with fire, something that does not sit well with Fabian Hurzeler.
The Brighton manager brings James Milner into the game, and it’s his 653rd all-time appearance.
The veteran, a former Villa man, has now tied fellow ex-Villan midfielder Gareth Barry for the most all-time appearances in Premier League history.
Aston Villa lineup
Martinez, Bogarde, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen, Onana, Luiz, Sancho, Buendia, Rogers, Watkins
Brighton lineup
Verbruggen, Kadioglu, Dunk, Van Hecke, Veltman, Gomez, Baleba, Gross, Hinshelwood, Mitoma, Welbeck
Aston Villa vs Brighton preview — by Joe Prince-Wright
Aston Villa have gone two games without a win but they can still hang in the title race with a win against struggling Brighton on Wednesday.
WATCH — Aston Villa v Brighton
Unai Emery’s side took the lead at Bournemouth on Saturday but drew 1-1 as injuries have hit Villa hard at precisely the moment they looked like challenging Arsenal and City for the title. Still, they look set for a top four finish if they can get back on track quickly and their new signings can settle in.
Brighton lost 1-0 at home to bitter rivals Crystal Palace on Sunday and some of the Seagulls faithful have turned on young manager Fabian Hurzeler. Brighton have won just once in their last 12 league games and with the players they have it’s clear they should have more points on the board.
Aston Villa team news, focus
Morgan Rogers is their main star with John McGinn, Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara all missing through injury. He scored a beauty at the weekend and keeps on delivering. Villa need new signings Abraham and Luiz (both re-signing for Villa) and returning loanee Leon Bailey to deliver big performances straight away as Emery will rotate the lineup.
Brighton team news, focus
Adam Webster, Solly March, Stefanos Tzimas, Yasin Ayari and Mats Wieffer are out injured, while center back Jan Paul van Hecke remains a doubt. Brighton have so many wonderful attacking players but Hurzeler can’t seem to find a way to get them all in the team at the same time and there’s a real lack of fluidity and confidence in attack.
Aston Villa vs Brighton prediction
Expect Villa to get back to winning ways and score early to set the tone. Aston Villa 3-1 Brighton.
How to watch Aston Villa vs Brighton live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 2:30pm ET Wednesday (February 11)
Venue: Villa Park — Aston, Birmingham
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
