Importance Score: 40 / 100 🔵
Aston Villa Bolsters Top-Five Ambitions with Victory Over Brighton
Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler endured a challenging week as Aston Villa secured a significant victory in their pursuit of a top-five Premier League finish. This setback for Brighton followed their FA Cup quarter-final exit against Nottingham Forest. Marcus Rashford continued his scoring streak with his third goal in two matches, while Marco Asensio added another to his tally, and Donyell Malen scored his debut goal for Villa, contributing to a 3-0 win against Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
Villa Enhances Champions League Qualification Hopes
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa climbed above Brighton in the league standings, significantly boosting their aspirations to replicate last season’s Champions League qualification. Despite a challenging upcoming schedule against Manchester City and Newcastle, their January acquisitions, Rashford and Asensio, have proven impactful. Asensio now boasts eight goals for Villa since joining on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, leading many to believe in their continued success.
Emery Praises Rashford and Asensio’s Impact
“The most crucial aspect is his well-being—how he regains self-assurance and concentrates on his football,” Emery commented regarding Rashford’s influence. “Both he and Marco [Asensio] are showing progressive improvement. We signed these players recognizing their potential to contribute significantly to our team.”
Brighton Frustration at Amex Stadium
Hürzeler voiced his disappointment, stating his team played “soft” against Forest, and they were once again outmatched by a disciplined Villa side. Frustration mounted for Brighton when Simon Adingra’s potential equalizer was disallowed for handball shortly after Rashford’s opening goal. Further jeers echoed around the Amex as Malen scored Villa’s third goal in the 10th minute of added time, compounding Brighton’s woes.
Hürzeler Seeks Improvement After Defeat
“It becomes difficult when minor decisions consistently go against you. You attempt to force a breakthrough in moments, and we lacked the appropriate response,” lamented Hürzeler. Looking ahead, he stated, “We have an opportunity to rectify this,” as they prepare to face Crystal Palace.
Villa’s Bench Depth Proves Decisive
Aston Villa’s supporters were quick to celebrate their upcoming Wembley appearance against Crystal Palace, chanting “Que Sera” within five minutes of the match. With a Champions League quarter-final against PSG also approaching, Emery expressed satisfaction at Ollie Watkins’ return from injury as a substitute, alongside Asensio and Malen.
Ultimately, Villa’s substitutes proved pivotal in the victory. The potential permanent signing of Rashford from Manchester United for £40m in the summer is increasingly appearing to be a shrewd move.
Penalty Appeals and VAR Decisions
Referee Stuart Attwell dismissed Brighton’s penalty claims in the first half when Kaoru Mitoma went down under Matty Cash’s challenge. Emery suggested Mitoma simulated the foul, leading to a brief confrontation between Emery and Hürzeler, requiring intervention from the fourth official.
Villa also had penalty appeals waved away, despite VAR review of Jack Hinshelwood’s tackle on Jacob Ramsey. Later, Brighton sought another penalty when a Yasin Ayari free-kick rebounded off the post and struck Ramsey’s arm, but Attwell remained unmoved.
Rashford Breaks the Deadlock
A moment of brilliance combined with a defensive lapse led to Rashford’s breakthrough goal early in the second half. Jan Paul van Hecke’s header from a corner was easily collected by Emi Martínez, who quickly initiated a counter-attack with a throw to Morgan Rogers. Rogers’ accurate long pass found Rashford, who skillfully placed the ball past Bart Verbruggen, aided by a deflection.
VAR Disallows Brighton Equalizer, Villa Extends Lead
Brighton believed they had responded perfectly when Adingra scored from close range, but VAR correctly disallowed the goal due to Mitoma’s handball in the build-up.
Midway through the second half, Emery substituted Rashford as part of a triple change to solidify Villa’s lead, introducing Asensio among others. Hürzeler responded with a quadruple substitution for Brighton. However, it was Asensio who extended Villa’s lead with a swift counter-attacking goal, before Malen completed the scoring in added time, strengthening Aston Villa’s Champions League aspirations.