Aston Villa vs Brighton: Match preview, predicted line-ups, team news, and prediction
Aston Villa will aim to return to winning ways in the Premier League when they host Brighton & Hove Albion at Villa Park on Wednesday evening.
Villa were held to a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth on Saturday, leaving them nine points behind leaders Arsenal.
Brighton lost 1-0 at home to Crystal Palace, condemning them to their eighth league defeat in this campaign.
Match preview
Villa’s title aspirations have derailed in recent weeks, with the club picking up just eight points from their last six outings.
Unai Emery’s side have struggled at both ends of the pitch. They have failed to score in three of their last five league games, and have kept two clean sheets within that period.
More worryingly, Villa have lost their last two league home games, after being unbeaten in their previous eight.
The Villans could have dropped to fourth before kick-off, making this a must-win.
Similarly, Brighton are struggling, recording one win since the start of December.
The visitors have also picked up just two wins on the road this term and have a won just two of their previous 13 meetings with Villa in the competition.
The Seagulls are still still some distance from the relegation battle, but could equal their lowest-ever Premier League finish of 17th if they do not arrest this slide.
Team news
Villa are still without the midfield quartet of Ross Barkley, John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, and Youri Tielemans. Andres Garcia is also on the treatment table.
For the visitors, Diego Gomez, Solly March, Stefanos Tzimas, and Mats Wielder are on the mend, joining long-term absentee Adam Webster. Yasin Ayari is doubtful.
Predicted line-ups
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez, Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen, Douglas Luiz, Amadou Onana, Jadon Sancho, Morgan Rogers, Emi Buendia, Tammy Abraham.
Brighton (4-3-3): Bart Verbruggen, Maxim De Cuyper, Lewis Dunk, Jan Paul van Hecke, Ferdi Kadioglu, Pascal Groß, Carlos Baleba, James Milner, Kaoru Mitoma, Danny Welbeck, Yankuba Minteh.
Prediction
We expect Villa to win 2-1.
Stats from transfermarkt.com & who scored.com