History As Brighton Secure Victory Over Aston Villa At Villa Park
Brighton won at Villa Park for the first time in their history, deservedly edging out Aston Villa in a dramatic and entertaining encounter.
Solly March’s delightful curling finish settled it after Ezri Konsa’s sliding equaliser cancelled out Danny Welbeck’s solo run and chip.
All of that preceded a frantic period of stoppage time that saw Tariq Lamptey sent off for a second yellow card and a decision to award Villa a penalty for a foul by March overturned after referee Michael Oliver consulted the pitchside monitor.
“I don’t know what a penalty is now. We could all hear the contact inside the ground,” said Villa boss Dean Smith.
The defeat is Villa’s third in succession at home in the league and also comes at the cost of a hamstring injury to Ross Barkley, who pulled up inside the first two minutes.
They stay sixth, but at risk of slipping down the table with the majority of the weekend’s fixtures still to be played.
Brighton’s first victory in two months does not improve their position of 16th, but they at least move six points clear of the relegation zone.
Styles make matches
This was made so enjoyable by a relentless back and forth, a consequence of contrasting styles. Whereas Villa pressed high, Brighton sat back, looking to break with pace and exploit an occasionally shaky home defence.
Bertrand Traore, Barkley’s replacement, and Jack Grealish pulled the strings for Villa, the latter routinely surrounded by a swarm of blue shirts.
Welbeck’s pace made Brighton’s first goal, yet he was outshone by the electric Lamptey, who was a constant nuisance down the the Seagulls’ right.
In the end, Brighton were simply more clinical, with Villa’s threat diminishing after they went behind for the second time.
Brighton find cutting edge
Brighton had managed only three goals in their previous four league matches, but despite often having to gather men behind the ball, they kept their attacking threat through Welbeck and his strike partner Neal Maupay.
Welbeck’s first goal for the club and fifth in as many games against Villa came against the run of play. With the Villa defence caught too high up the field, Welbeck latched on to Adam Lallana’s poke and ran unchallenged from inside his own half before cleverly lifting the ball over Emiliano Martinez.
Although Brighton lost the creativity of Lallana to a groin injury at half-time and found themselves pegged back soon after, they did not shrink.
And, nine minutes after the Villa equaliser, Pascal Gross rolled the ball across the face of the 18-yard box for March to add the delicious finish.
“Our second was a really good team goal and a great finish by Solly March,” said Brighton manager Graham Potter. “I’m pleased for him because he influences games.
“We’ve had a few penalties against us this season so I’m not sure what is and what isn’t a penalty these days. I know Solly touched the ball so we’re just happy it went our way this time.”
