Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction
Follow all the action from Villa Park
Follow live coverage as Aston Villa face Brighton & Hove Albion today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
That was Rogers' sixth Premier League goal of the season and Watkins' fourth assist. The Villa duo have looked a constant threat for Emery's side against Brighton today.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Villa now have a free-kick as they push for another goal. Tielemans sends a dipping cross towards Verbruggen, but Baleba gets to it first and heads away from danger for Brighton.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
McGinn gets the second half under way for Aston Villa at Villa Park!
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Aston Villa have looked the most dangerous side so far, creating 1.34 expected goals (xG) from 12 shots. Brighton have produced just 0.43, but there's nothing to separate the two teams at the break. According to Opta's live win probability calculator, Aston Villa have a 44.3% chance of winning from here, with a draw at 34.7% and a Brighton victory at 21%. Chasing a goal, Emery would usually call upon either Watkins or Duran, depending on which player starts, but the latter is suspended. Could we see the Spanish manager introduce Philogene, Ramsey, or Barkley with his side level at half-time? Hurzeler won't be happy with the number of chances his side have given up, and he will want to see them show more in the final third.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Aston Villa and Brighton go into the break with the scoreline level at 1-1 in the Premier League at Villa Park. The Seagulls opened the scoring as Adingra pounced on a loose ball inside the Villa penalty area, and his curling effort went beyond Martinez and into the far corner. Villa wanted a penalty later in the half as Rogers was brought down by Van Hecke, but after a lengthy VAR review, the referee said no. Just moments later, Rogers was upended once again, this time by Joao Pedro, and Emery's side were awarded a penalty this time. Watkins stepped up, and he calmly slotted into the back of the net to equalise for Villa. It's been an end-to-end affair so far with plenty of action!
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
It's another corner for Villa after Watkins' shot is blocked. Digne delivers into the middle and Watkins is there to meet it as he arrives unmarked, but he heads over the bar! He should be hitting the target from there!
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Villa are ending the half strong as Watkins finds Digne on the left. He delivers a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but none of his team-mates are on the same wavelength and Brighton can win it back.
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