Aston Villa won a sensational game at Brighton on Wednesday, as they fought back from 2-0 down to lead 4-2 and eventually hang on to win 4-3.
WATCH — Full match replay
Jan Paul van Hecke put Brighton ahead early and an unfortunate own goal from Pau Torres put them 2-0 up,. However, Ollie Watkins scored twice before half time to make it 2-2 and Villa carried on that momentum into the second half.
Amadou Onana made it 3-2 and then Donyell Malen made it 4-2 before Van Hecke’s second set up a wild finish where Brighton went so close on several occasions to making it 4-4.
With the win, Villa’s fourth in a row, they move on to 27 points. Brighton stay on 22 points.
Watkins and Villa are back
Four wins on the spin means Villa are up to third place in the table in this crazy Premier League season and even though defensive concerns continue for Unai Emery, their attacking play is back to its best. And Ollie Watkins is back too. Emery revealed before this game that Watkins has been nursing a knee injury for some time but it didn’t look like at Brighton as he scored twice, had a few other huge chances and was a constant threat playing on the shoulder of the last defender. This was textbook Villa under Emery, going forward, and if they can keep things more solid defensively when Emiliano Martinez comes back (he missed this one after pulling out before the game) then they will not only give Arsenal a huge test this Saturday, but they could well drag themselves into the title race. (JPW)
What’s next?
Villa host Arsenal on Saturday, while Brighton host West Ham on Sunday.
Brighton vs Aston Villa score: 3-4
Van Hecke 9', 83' Torres OG 29'; Watkins 37', Watkins 45+7', Onana 60', Malen 78'
Brighton vs Aston Villa live updates! — By Joe Prince-Wright
Bizot with a fine save to deny Welbeck!
What a save from Bizot to deny Danny Welbeck. Magnificent. Brighton then go so close from the resulting corner. So close to 4-4. What a game!
Van Hecke again!
Lovely low finish from the Dutch center back. Maybe this isn’t over!?
Malen surely seals it!
What a brilliant comeback from Villa this has been. A cross from the left finds Watkins at the back post and he flicks it across. A header is saved well by Verbruggen from close range but Malen is there to finish the rebound. 4-2. Game over.
Onana has Villa ahead!
They’ve done it, and that was coming. It has been all Villa in the second half and now they have the lead for the first time. A corner to the back post finds its way to Amadou Onana and he finishes well to make it 3-2 and send the away fans wild. What a comeback from Villa!
Verburggen with a good stop down low
Villa have started the second half well and a cross from the left is pushed away by Verbruggen.
Half time: Brighton 2-2 Aston Villa
Superb start from the Seagulls as they surged into a 2-0 lead but Villa have recovered so well and Watkins equalized right on half time as his double has Villa right back in it.
Watkins with a brilliant finish right on half time!
It’s 2-2 and another for Watkins. Villa wanted a penalty kick for Hinshelwood appearing to handle on the line after the ball hit the post, but while VAR was checking a long ball was played forward and Watkins controlled well and finished to make it 2-2.
Watkins finishes this time! Game on!
A lovely cross from the left from Maatsen finds Watkins at the back post and with plenty of players flying in he bundles it home to make it 2-1. Game on.
Watkins denied, then Torres own goal has Brighton 2-0 up!
At one end Ollie Watkins is played in and he loves these situations, but his shot is weak with Dunk doing just enough to put him up. At the other end substitute Hinshelwood (on for the injured Tzimas) races clear and his cross deflects off Pau Torres and flies in. Brighton can’t believe their luck and Villa are bemoaning theirs.
Watkins’ shot deflects just wide
Villa break and Watkins’ shot deflects off Baleba, loops and goes wide. In the opening minutes Unai Emery has looked very annoyed, generally, on the sidelines.
Van Hecke puts Brighton ahead!
A corner is whipped in and Villa goalkeeper Bizot, who is only starting because Martinez pulled out at the last minute, makes a mess of it. Jan Paul van Hecke bundles the ball home from close range and after a quick VAR check the goal stands.
Brighton lineup
Verbruggen; Kadioglu, Dunk, Van Hecke, De Cuyper; Wieffer, Baleba; Minteh, Gomez, Gruda; Tzimas
Aston Villa lineup
Bizot; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Onana, Kamara; Guessand, Rogers, McGinn; Watkins
Brighton team news, focus
OUT: Kaoru Mitoma (foot), James Milner (muscular), Adam Webster (knee), Solly March (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Georginio Rutter (unspecified), Tom Watson (knock)
Aston Villa team news, focus
OUT: Tyrone Mings (hamstring), Andres Garcia (undisclosed) | QUESTIONABLE: Ross Barkley (unspecified)
Brighton vs Aston Villa preview
The Seagulls have lost just once since mid-September and are currently boasting a four-match unbeaten run after wins over Leeds, Brentford, and Nottingham Forest plus a draw at Palace. Three of those matches have featured clean sheets after Fabian Hurzeler’s men allowed in goal or more in each of their first nine matches.
That’s put Brighton 22 points, above sixth-place Sunderland on goal differential and ahead of big names Man United, Liverpool, and Spurs.
Villa are no shrinking violet (claret), though, having brushed off a poor start to the season to pull into fourth place with 24 points. Unai Emery’s Villans have won seven-of-eight in Premier League play, the lone blemish a 2-0 defeat at Liverpool. They are getting contributions from all parts of the roster, and their last win came with a brilliant Boubacar Kamara goal in a 1-0 defeat over Wolves in a West Midlands derby.
Brighton vs Aston Villa prediction
This could be a lot of fun, as Hurzeler tries to further improve his tactical credentials with an outfoxing of Emery. The Villans have more finishers, but that could be offset a bit by Brighton’s home field. The Seagulls are 4W-2D at home in the league this season and could kick off a stretch that sees them play 3-of-4 at the Amex in fine fettle. Brighton 1-1 Aston Villa.
How to watch Brighton vs Aston Villa live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 2:30pm ET Wednesday
Venue: The Amex Stadium — Falmer, East Sussex
TV Channel: Peacock
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock
