Aston Villa player ratings from the vital 3-0 win away at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Marcus Rashford’s clever chip and composed finishes from super substitutes Marco Asensio and Donyell Malen earned Aston Villa a pivotal three points in the European fight, securing a 3-0 victory away at fellow contenders Brighton & Hove Albion.

Villa struggled to assert any real control throughout a cagey first half but were clinical when it mattered; Malen’s scoring his first goal in claret and blue, Rashford netting his third and Asensio notching his eighth to soar up to seventh in the Premier League, leapfrogging Brighton and moving to within just two points of fifth-placed Newcastle United.

Rashford’s goal came in the 51st minute as he sprinted onto a phenomenal 50-yard Morgan Rogers pass and expertly lifted the ball over Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen. It was as route one as it gets as Emiliano Martinez saved Jan Paul van Hecke’s header from an Albion corner and threw the ball to Rogers who effortlessly pinged over to Rashford to score. It was completely against the run of play but the visitors didn’t care.

Simon Adingra thought he’d levelled up the scoring just a few minutes later as he fired in from close range after Martinez spilled the ball into his path, but it was disallowed by VAR for a Kaoru Mitoma handball. Yasin Ayari’s dinked pass was pushed into a dangerous area by Mitoma’s arm, VAR adjudged, before Martinez flapped the ball to Adingra.

Asensio doubled Villa’s lead in the 78th minute as he showed great composure to slot into the corner from a low Rogers cross. Brighton’s Eiran Cashin misjudged Matty Cash’s pass forward, allowing Rogers to break down the right and cut the ball back for Asensio. VAR checked for a potential foul as Ollie Watkins nudged Mats Wieffer off the ball but referee Stuart Attwell’s decision stood.

Malen, off the bench late, then added a third deep in stoppage time to put the game beyond doubt. It was a devastating counter-attack as John McGinn shrugged off a Brighton attacker and played the ball to Asensio who fed Malen to strike low and hard into the far corner.

The first half, just about edged by Brighton, was very stop-start. The Seagulls had the better of the chances as Mitoma saw two tame efforts saved by Martinez and Adingra struck narrowly over with an arrowed strike towards the far top corner. Yasin Ayari went closest as his 20-yard free-kick was somehow tipped onto the post by Martinez.

Mitoma also had a penalty shout when nudged over by Cash, but the contact was insufficient. Meanwhile, Jack Hinshelwood was lucky not to give away a spot-kick at the opposite end as he downed Jacob Ramsey with an outstretched leg.

There may not have been much to separate the two teams in the first half but Villa outran Brighton in the second 45 and were ultimately the calmer in front of goal. Emery’s men head back to Birmingham with a convincing haul of maximum points.

Player ratings

Without further ado, here’s how Birmingham World reporter Charlie Haffenden rated the players at the Amex.

Emi Martinez - 7

A third successive clean sheet! Made one superb save in the first half to deny Ayari from a free-kick and then made another big stop in second half stoppage time to tip over Estupinan’s awkward cross. Made three simpler stops to deny Mitoma and Pedro. Got away with a huge error in the second half, however, as he was rescued by VAR after spilling the ball to Adingra, who saw a goal chalked off. Booked for wasting time at the end.

Matty Cash - 7 (off 81’)

Had a mixed night against Mitoma, one of the league’s trickiest wingers. Stood up to the Japanese well on a few occasions but was beaten for skill on others. Perhaps lucky not to give away a penalty on Mitoma in the first half, too, even if the nudge was light.

Ezri Konsa - 7

Cleared a lot of low crosses from Mitoma and Estupinan to keep the Seagulls at bay and was assured with his passing. Spun by Pedro on a couple of occasions but otherwise didn’t put a foot wrong.

Pau Torres - 8

Made so many important interceptions to contribute to the clean sheet and zipped the ball into midfield plenty in the second half to kick-start attacks. A little off the pace at times in the first half, maybe, as he gave the ball away a couple of times.

Lucas Digne - 7

Kept Adingra quiet for the most part and completed five tackles. Also made several big recoveries when his teammates passed loosely.

Boubacar Kamara - 8

Struggled to assert himself in the first period but was physically dominant in the second 45. Proved why he’s so important when the game got scrappy.

Youri Tielemans - 7 (off 64’)

Failed to assert any real control in possession but made up for it by doing the dirty work with important tackles and clearances.

Morgan Rogers - 9* (off 88’)

Assisted Rashford’s opener with an exquisite lofted pass and then set up Asensio for Villa’s second goal. The standout, for sure, as he added so much impetus to Villa’s attacks.

Jacob Ramsey - 7 (off 64’)

Gave Hinshelwood a difficult game when he cut inside and probably should’ve had a penalty in the first half.

John McGinn - 8

The most advanced of Villa’s midfielders in the first 45, nearly up top with Rashford at times. Did best in the second half when deeper, though, making a few big tackles. Played a key role in the third goal by starting the counter.

Marcus Rashford - 7 (off 64’)

Scored the opening goal, showing great composure to control Rogers’ pass and dink Verbruggen from outside the area. Went missing otherwise, however, and missed a big chance in the first half by skewing well wide.

Marco Asensio - 8 (on 65’)

Another exceptional display, this time only within 30 minutes. Netted his eighth goal in 10 matches with a cool strike and then assisted Malen’s late third.

Ollie Watkins - 6 (on 65’)

Provided a good outlet up front and played a minor role in Asensio’s goal by getting in Wieffer’s way.

Amadou Onana - 7 (on 65’)

Helped sure up the midfield. His fresh legs really helped change the momentum of the tie.

Axel Disasi - 6 (on 81’)

Wasn’t on the pitch long enough to make a huge impact but looked assured at right-back.

Donyell Malen - 7 (on 88’)

Scored his first goal for the club with a terrific finish into the far corner.