Aston Villa vs Brighton Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Unai Emery’s Aston Villa have been quite inconsistent in the last month or so but remain in a strong position to launch as they now welcome Brighton and Hove Albion to Villa Park.
Kick-off date/time: Monday 30th December, 2024: UK – 7:45pm / US ET – 2:45pm / US PT – 11:45am
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – Peacock
Aston Villa Preview: Villains again
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa come into this one on the back of a 3-0 loss away at Newcastle United on Boxing Day in a game whereby they went behind early via Anthony Gordon and then saw Jhon Duran sent off before second-half strikes from Alexander Isak and Joelinton sealed the defeat.
That came a few days after Villa had defeated defending champions but struggling Manchester City by two goals to one in the second city. They have been inconsistent in the last month or so but remain in contention for a top four or five finish in the Premier League.
Brighton Preview: Stumbling Seagulls
Brighton and Hove Albion, under the management of the youngest permanent Premier League coach of all time in 31-year-old Fabian Hurzeler, begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting firmly in the middle-of-the-table after a poor run of form.
The Seagulls were held to a frustrating goalless draw by Brentford at the AMEX Stadium on the south coast the other day to mean they are now winless in their last six matches in the Premier League since propelling themselves into the top four in mid-November.
Aston Villa Team News: Ramsey may return
Unai Emery has said he is ‘hopeful’ that Jacob Ramsey could return to the squad for this week after making a comeback to full training after a hamstring injury. However, Jhon Duran is missing through suspension following his red card.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Onana; McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers; Watkins
Unavailable: Cash (Suspended), Duran (Suspended)
Questionable: Ramsey (Fitness)
Brighton Team News: March returned
After a long injury layoff, Solly March has now returned to the Brighton squad on and came off the bench against Brentford the other day. Danny Welbeck, though, remains an injury doubt alongside the likes of Jack Hinshelwood and Ferdi Kadioglu.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan; O’Riley, Baleba; Gruda, Enciso, Mitoma; Pedro
Unavailable: Milner (Injured), Ferguson (Injured)
Questionable: Kadioglu (Injured), Webster (Injured), Wieffer (Injured), Hinshelwood (Injured), Welbeck (Injured)
Aston Villa vs Brighton Prediction
This fixture last season saw Aston Villa dispatch Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton by six goals to one. They have remained strong at Villa Park, albeit poor performances have been more common than what they were last year which is understandable as they balance UEFA Champions League football against their top four ambitions. Brighton, though, had problems in their performances that are now being reflected in their results and backing Villa, at home, seems a good bet for this one.
Aston Villa vs Brighton Tip: Aston Villa to win
