After their EFL Cup third-round exit, Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion are eager to bounce back in the Premier League clash at Villa Park on Saturday.
Despite recent setbacks, both teams have shown promising form, making this an intriguing battle.
Match Preview
Aston Villa suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Everton in midweek, while Brighton narrowly lost 1-0 against Chelsea on the same day.
Amidst a busy schedule, Aston Villa has experienced mixed results in recent weeks, alternating between wins and losses in their last six matches across all competitions.
They will be looking to recover from their EFL Cup disappointment and continue their impressive home form in the Premier League.
Villa has won each of their last nine top-flight home games, their best run since 1983.
Additionally, they have a strong record against Brighton, winning their last four league meetings, including a 2-1 victory in the previous season’s finale.
Brighton, on the other hand, have had a strong start to the Premier League campaign, winning five out of their six opening games and scoring the highest number of goals in the league.
Despite their recent EFL Cup defeat, they are currently sitting third in the table, three points ahead of Aston Villa.
Both teams have had their share of victories and losses in recent matches across different competitions.
With Brighton’s attacking prowess and Villa’s impressive home record, it is expected to be a closely-contested match with plenty of opportunities for both sides.
Team News:
Aston Villa will be without Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey due to injury, joining Tyrone Mings, Emiliano Buendia, and Tim Iroegbunam on the sidelines.
However, key players like Emiliano Martinez, Boubacar Kamara, Nicolo Zaniolo, and Ollie Watkins are expected to return to the starting lineup.
Brighton has a few injury concerns with Pascal Gross, James Milner, and Evan Ferguson doubtful for the match.
Ansu Fati, Kaoru Mitoma, Solly March, Joao Pedro, and Danny Welbeck are likely to feature in the starting lineup.
Predicted Starting Lineups:
Aston Villa:
Martinez;
Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne;
Zaniolo, Kamara, Luiz, McGinn;
Diaby, Watkins
Brighton & Hove Albion:
Steele;
Lamptey, Webster, Dunk, Estupinan;
Gilmour, Dahoud;
March, Fati, Mitoma;
Pedro
Prediction:
This match promises to be an evenly-matched contest between two strong teams. With their impressive home form, Aston Villa will look to secure a positive result against an in-form Brighton side.
Expect an entertaining clash with both teams showcasing their attacking capabilities. A score draw of 2-2 seems likely.
