Aston Villa Vs Brighton
Villa are back in B6 as we face Brighton and Hove Albion at Villa Park.
Contributed by Korben O’Brien | Join The Team | Edited by Dan Rogers
Villa recorded a thumping, much needed 5-1 victory at Norwich City as Dean Smith’s men put emphatically defeated The Canaries.
This was a welcome and timely win going into the international break, ultimately marred by the racist abuse suffered by Tyrone Mings on his debut for England.
However, Villa will now re-focus their efforts upon an important home game against a very tough set of looming fixtures including Liverpool and Manchester City.
LAST TIME OUT
Wesley brushed aside his doubters to set us on our way with a first half brace. The Brazilian striker could have had a hat–trick but not for a squandered penalty attempt.
Silencing the doubters
It was a big afternoon for striker Wesley , who continues to defy his critics in an Aston Villa shirt.
Adapting to an elite new division, the lone striker at the age of just 22, now has four goals in eight Premier League games. All of these goals have come in his last six games.
A ratio of one in two isn’t bad at all.
At Carrow Road he added impressive finishes against Everton and Arsenal earlier in the campaign, celebrating emphatically with team mates in front of our raucous 3,000 travelling supporters.
Unsung heroesÂ
Wesley may have stolen the goalscoring headlines, but there were numerous man of the match contenders Norwich.
At the back, Tyrone Mings and Bjorn Engels blocked everything and Frederic Guilbert and Matty Targett bombed up and down the flanks all game long.
Marvelous Nakamba thwarted Norwich attacks time and time again , while Grealish and McGinn were an attacking nuisance as ever.Â
Hourihane was provider turned goalscorer, with El-Ghazi also notching two assists; it was a true team performance.
PREDICTIONS
Villa Underground Prediction:
“We shouldn’t be misled by the comfortable Carabao Cup win recently, against a young and inexperienced Brighton side. The visitors are well drilled and organised, with a number of interesting players who if permitted, could hurt us. Indeed, Spurs were soundly beaten by the visitors in impressive fashion prior to the international break.
Much will depend on Villa remaining clinical up front, whilst ironing out the errors at the back. The central defence looks solid, with Mings and Engels complimenting each other. The fullbacks, for all of their exciting attacking verve, leave room for opposition sides to exploit. Guilbert has impressed in the overlapping role, but this cannot be to the detriment of his defensive duties.
Consistency up front will be key. Given opportunities, Wesley looks adept, but if starved out of the game, he cuts a lost and isolated figure. However, between Hourihane, McGinn, Grealish and El Ghazi, we have the armoury to deliver upon both chances and goals.”
Result Prediction: Aston Villa 1-0 Brighton – McGinn to score.
Korben’s Prediction:
“My prediction for tomorrow’s game is that it’ll be a tough game, but I feel the attacking football Villa are playing and the resilience will be enough to kill off Brighton in front of yet another sell out Villa Park crowd.”
Result Prediction: Aston Villa 3-1 Brighton – with John McGinn , Wesley and Mings scoring for Villa.
Key Facts
- Grealish has won at least four more fouls than any other player in the Premier League this season ( 32)
- Aston Villa form – WDLDL
- Brighton form – WLDDL
- Jonathan Kodjia is back in contention ahead of the visit of The Seagulls
- Tom Heaton and Bjorn Engels have overcome knocks and will feature.
- The game marks a year since Dean Smith was appointed Villa boss.
- Brighton have never won at Villa Park.
- Villa defeated a sub-strength Brighton in the Cup earlier this season.
- Villa are looking for first back to back wins of the season.