Aston Villa suffered a soft blow to their Champions League hopes with a 1-0 Premier League defeat away at Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon. Joao Pedro won it late for the hosts, nodding in on the rebound after seeing an 87th-minute penalty saved by Robin Olsen. Both teams had found the net earlier but were denied goals – VAR intervening for Brighton’s and Villa’s ruled out by an on-field decision.
It was a lethargic performance from Unai Emery’s men, seemingly struck by Thursday’s shock 4-2 defeat to Olympiacos in the Europa Conference League. The Villans managed just two shots throughout the contest, with just one on target leaving Bart Verbruggen very little to do between the sticks. Olsen had a great game stepping in for Emiliano Martinez in the other goalmouth but the Swede’s efforts weren’t quite enough as Roberto De Zerbi’s side claimed all three points.
The initial exchanges were frantic as both teams created early sighters, mainly Brighton with their effective wing play. Simon Adingra recorded two shots on target in the opening eight minutes, the first weak at the near post but the second causing some trouble for a diving Olsen. There was an uneasy stop for Verbruggen up the other end as Moussa Diaby tried to replicate his tight-angle antics from midweek, but the desired bend on the ball wasn’t quite there. Danny Welbeck then went the closest yet, flicking a near-post Billy Gilmour corner off his back and narrowly over the crossbar.
Emery was forced into a premature substitution midway through the first half as Morgan Rogers went to ground off the ball. The winter signing received treatment for a couple of minutes - medical staff testing the extension of his leg - before he jogged straight down the tunnel. It was hard to tell exactly what the issue was, but perhaps a knee problem. A hooded Rogers re-emerged about 10 minutes later, joining his teammates in the away dugout to witness a rather drab 20 minutes before. Pascal Gross’ failed attempt to round Olsen was the only moment of note before referee Robert Jones brought the first period to a close.
The first quarter of an hour of the second half was cagey as Villa pressed high up the field, often forcing Brighton into awkward tight spaces in and around their box. Douglas Luiz found the odd pocket of space just outside the area but refused to pull the trigger, instead displaying patience. Matty Cash had other ideas, though, pulling the trigger from around 30 yards, fizzing the ball merely inches wide of the top right corner.
Brighton had a great chance just after the hour-mark but Olsen was there to the rescue yet again for Villa, denying Joao Pedro one-on-one. It was a great breakaway from the hosts as Danny Welbeck controlled an Igor Julio pass on his chest and nodded it to Adingra, who fed Pedro with an intricate pass. It just lacked the finish but Olsen did brilliantly to narrow the angle. There was then a decent opening for Julio Enciso but the Paraguayan’s shot went high and wide. McGinn had to do better as he misjudged the flight of the long pass over the top.
Gross thought he’d opened the scoring for the Seagulls in the 68th minute as he poked home at the near post from an Igor cross. But the German was offside by a kneecap, stepping out a moment too quickly to be caught out by Villa’s trap. Matty Cash’s leg was outstretched but not enough for Gross’ goal to stand; 0-0 it remained.
McGinn suffered a similar experience in the 79th minute as the away captain found the net but was flagged offside. Leon Bailey’s cross after a corner deflected awkwardly and the ball arrived at McGinn’s feet to find the side netting, but the linesman spotted a clear infringement; the Scotsman’s foot was a few inches ahead of Lewis Dunk’s leg.
Just as you thought the game would end goalless, Brighton were awarded a penalty for an Ezri Konsa nudge on Adingra running through. It was a silly foul from Villa’s number four who had struggled all game to deal with the pace and skill from Albion’s wingers. The usually clinical Pedro stepped up and missed initially - seeing his spot-kick saved brilliantly by Olsen - but netted on the rebound, heading into the bottom corner for 1-0.
That’s how it ended and Villa will now be watching on nervously as Tottenham Hotspur take on Liverpool at Anfield. Here’s how Birmingham World reporter Charlie Haffenden rated the away players at the Amex.
1. Robin Olsen - 8
Saved Joao Pedro’s penalty and was so unlucky to see the rebound headed in. Made two saves from Adingra early doors, the second the better as he dived to his right. Took a blow to the face and shoulder when he rushed out bravely to deny the Ivorian. Did well to stop Gross from rounding him just before the break.
2. Ezri Konsa - 4 (off 90’)
Struggled to deal with Brighton’s forwards on both the overlap and underlap. Conceded the vital penalty with a silly foul on Adingra.
3. Diego Carlos - 5
Dealt with Welbeck’s physicality well but allowed Brighton’s danger man, Adingra, in behind too often.
4. Pau Torres - 6
Wasn’t afraid to progress into midfield on the ball, largely unfazed and unchallenged. Perhaps lucky to not get booked for a tactical first-half foul on Joao Pedro.