Aston Villa player ratings from Brighton draw as two score 8/10 but three 5s

The Villans failed to round off 2024 with a victory at Villa Park as Brighton scored early and late to share the spoils. Goals from Simon Adingra, Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers and Tariq Lamptey made for an entertaining affair under the lights but neither team winning sees both remain several points adrift of the European spots.

Albion took the lead in the 13th minute through a ruthless Adingra finish. Villa simply had to defend better as Ezri Konsa allowed Lewis Dunk’s route-one pass to bounce, giving Adingra the chance to take up possession, dribble past Pau Torres and curl into the far corner. Diego Carlos will have to take some blame as he was nowhere to be seen. Brighton nearly went two up as Julio Enciso saw a decent 25-yard effort turned round the post by Emi Martinez before Jan Paul van Hecke headed inches wide from a corner.

Emery was forced into a substitution just 21 minutes in as Pau suffered a potentially serious foot injury. The Spanish central defender couldn’t walk off the field unaided, instead hobbling along the touchline and down the tunnel with the help of two of Villa’s club doctors. Tyrone Mings, who himself only returned from injury a month or so ago, replaced Pau to a standing ovation.

Villa eventually got into their rhythm and were denied what appeared as a stonewall penalty - both in real time and after replays - on the half-hour mark. Van Hecke’s sliding challenge from behind caught Rogers but referee Craig Pawson waved away the hosts’ appeals. Stuart Attwell, the VAR official, had a long look but decided to stick with the original decision, citing that van Hecke just about got a toe on the ball first.

There was another penalty incident just two minutes later, however, and this time it went Villa’s way. Rogers was yet again impeded, this time by Joao Pedro, who had tried to clear away from Bart Verbruggen’s failed catch but instead caught Villa’s number 27. Pawson originally decided no penalty once again but was encouraged to visit the pitchside monitor, where he spent two minutes before overturning his original decision. Watkins then stepped up and confidently found the bottom left corner for 1-1.

It was all Villa after the equaliser as the hosts, motivated by their uplifted supporters, dominated possession and zipped the ball around on the edge of Brighton’s area. There were two decent chances for Watkins as he headed straight at Verbruggen from a Leon Bailey cross and nodded just over the bar from a corner. Emery’s men were really piling on the pressure throughout a huge 12 minutes of added time - prompted by several injury stoppages - but failed to capitalise.

Villa finally took a deserved 2-1 lead just two minutes after the interval as Rogers, the man of the moment, fired into the far corner. Boubacar Kamara beat Brajan Gruda to an aerial duel and Watkins played a delicate pass over the top to Rogers, who took a touch on his chest and placed his shot superbly to give Verbruggen no chance.

Fabian Hurzeler tried to turn the visitors’ fortunes around with three attacking substitutions on the hour mark. Kaoru Mitoma was the most impactful as the Japanese winger rang rings around Konsa and Carlos on several occasions. Brighton had two decent opportunities to level up the scoring but were let down as Pedro leaned back to fire well over and Yankuba Minteh dragged a long-range shot wide.

The Seagulls eventually found a breakthrough in the 79th minute, breaking Villa hearts with a well-worked team goal. Lamptey was the scorer as the attacking full-back started and finished off the move. Pedro and Mitoma played a clever one-two just inside the area and Lamptey, in the right position for the lay-off, drilled first time beyond Martinez and into the net. That goal was the eleventh this season that Villa have conceded in the final quarter of an hour of a Premier League fixture.

Emery and the tens of thousands of home fans in the stadium had their heads in their hands deep in stoppage time as Watkins missed a glorious chance to win the game, skying an effort after he reacted first to a loose ball from a corner. The points are shared.

Player ratings

Emiliano Martinez - 7

Made a great save to deny Enciso in the first half and couldn’t do a great deal about Adingra’s goal. Rushed out when needed to get there first to a couple of threatening direct Brighton passes. Somehow escaped a booking for getting in the referee’s face during a VAR check, an act that was popular with the home crowd.

Ezri Konsa - 5

At fault for Adingra’s opener as he let Dunk’s long ping bounce and failed to deal with Pedro’s run sufficiently. Made two or three great interventions to stop Adingra but really struggled when Mitoma came on.

Diego Carlos - 5

Caught well out of position for Adingra’s goal, leaving Konsa in an awkward spot. Otherwise did ok, using his physicality to limit Pedro’s threat.

Pau Torres - 5 (off 21’)

Perhaps could’ve done better to stop Adingra before he struck into the net for 0-1. Went off soon after with what appeared to be an ankle issue, so didn’t have time to make amends.

Lucas Digne - 7 (off 83’)

Won two brilliant tackles - on Lamptey and Enciso - and made a few necessary clearances. Was afforded a lot of space by Lamptey and swung in several dangerous crosses, two of which Watkins really should’ve converted.

Boubacar Kamara - 7 (off 83’)

Put in a brave display, winning the majority of his ground duels and completing more tackles than any other Villa player (5). Sucked in a little too easily for Lamptey’s goal, though, allowing space for the cutback.

Youri Tielemans - 6 (off 83’)

Didn’t always win out his midfield battles with Baleba and Ayari but battled hard to try and break up Brighton’s momentum.

Morgan Rogers - 8

Won the penalty for Watkins’ equaliser just minutes after controversially being denied a spot-kick. Then netted the crucial second goal with great composure. The only downside is he’ll miss the clash with Leicester after picking up his fifth yellow of the season - a harsh one - for a foul on Baleba.

Leon Bailey - 7 (off 77’)

Completed a remarkable nine dribbles, causing all sorts of problems for Igor and Dunk. Enjoying a decent amount of space in behind and swept some decent low crosses into the area. Sees his rating lowered by his poor finishing as he failed to hit the target with any of his seven attempts.

John McGinn - 7

Turned away from trouble expertly many times. Particularly impressed with one moment in first half when he brushed off three or four challenges with ease. Lacked a little with his final passes, mind.

Ollie Watkins - 8

Converted his penalty confidently and assisted Rogers’ goal with a brilliant, looped pass that evaded Brighton’s entire back line. Turned van Hecke inside out on two or three occasions but missed three great headed opportunities - as well as the golden chance in added time.

Tyrone Mings - 7 (on 21’)

Came on for an unexpected appearance in place of injured Pau and dominated in the air, offering a sense of assurance for every set piece. Booked for a trip on Pedro.