Roberto De Zerbi's hilarious excuse for not celebrating Brighton's win over Aston Villa

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi has unveiled the comical reason he didn’t enter the pitch to celebrate his team’s 1-0 win against Aston Villa.

Although there was only a one-goal difference between the two teams, Brighton were fairly comfortable victors. De Zerbi was surprised that the ‘real Villa’ didn’t turn up at the American Express Stadium but could understand the struggles with fatigue.

As well as his humbleness in victory, the Italian has become known for his on and off-field antics since joining the Seagulls. Even so, nobody was quite prepared for what he came out with during Sunday’s post-match press conference.

“I wanted to smoke a cigarette early,” Albion’s head coach said in a hilariously serious tone, prompting laughter from every journalist in attendance. “It’s true,” De Zerbi asserted, sensing his comment wasn’t at first believed.

De Zerbi jokes but Villa could still get the last laugh

It could’ve been a costly defeat for Villa on the south coast had Tottenham Hotspur beaten Liverpool in the later Sunday afternoon kick-off. But, much to the relief of all those associated with the men in claret and blue, Spurs lost 4-2 at Anfield.

The stakes were mightily high over the weekend as Villa had the chance to mathematically confirm qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League. As it is, securing that achievement will have to wait but Emery’s men remain in the driving seat.

Seven points separate the two teams in the top-four race and Tottenham have just three matches to close the gap. It’s possible but - due to the breadth in goal difference - Spurs must realistically win all three of their remaining fixtures, against Burnley, Manchester City and Sheffield United.

Villa, meanwhile, face Liverpool and Crystal Palace. Just one win or two draws would secure a place in the elite quartet.