Champions League-chasing Aston Villa will look to shake off their indifferent form on Wednesday, at the expense of out-of-form Brighton who have lost seven of their last nine league games.
Villa have won just two of their last seven midweek Premier League games, although both wins came against Brighton – including a 4-3 scoreline in December.
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squeaky bloom time
After 20 games, Villa are eight points ahead of third place and 11 points ahead of fifth place. They are now two points ahead of fourth-placed Manchester United after Tuesday night’s results, with Chelsea one point adrift.
Unai Emery’s side have managed just one win, three goals and five points in the league and are in danger of becoming the first English top-flight side to lose three consecutive home games after winning their previous eight games.
Emery told the media after Saturday’s draw away to Bournemouth: “Two months ago you were saying we were serious contenders for the Premier League title. Now, two months later, everything I told you two months ago makes sense. Why? Because the Premier League is a very difficult league.”
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In fact, the vast majority of Villa supporters never really believed their team were title contenders this season. Their concern now is whether the team can overcome the destabilizing impact of key midfield injuries and find a way to remain firmly in the hunt for Champions League qualification and trophies via the Europa League or FA Cup.
Happily, Villa are nine points ahead with four wins at this stage of last season, when just goal difference kept them out of the Champions League. They are just two points behind the fourth-place team in 2023-24.
Rodgers is on par with Europe’s best young attackers
Morgan Rogers has overcome a poor start to the season to emerge as Villa’s ace this season. While Ollie Watkins and Villa’s summer attacking reinforcements have struggled to provide the final product, Rodgers has equaled last season’s tally of eight league goals.
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He is also one of only five players under the age of 24 in Europe’s top five leagues to have scored at least 20 goals and assisted 20 since the start of last season.
[BBC]
Brighton shocked
While Aston Villa struggled, Brighton suffered a crisis of confidence. Albion were booed after Sunday’s home defeat to Crystal Palace, with some fans calling for manager Fabian Huerzel to be sacked.
Brighton touched the ball 13 times in the opponent’s penalty area against Crystal Palace, a season low. In the past 12 top league games, Brighton has only defeated Burnley.
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“We’ve lost our confidence and we can only get it back by getting the right results,” said Huzelle, who could give James Milner his record-equalling 653rd Premier League appearance.
Albion have picked up just two points from their past five away games and have won three of 26 Premier League games played on Wednesday; their 11.5% win rate is the lowest among the current teams in the division.
Their decline in form can be traced back to the game against Aston Villa on December 3. Brighton led 2-0 and would have finished third above Villa if they had won, but ultimately lost 4-3. Since then they have the third-worst record in the conference.
[BBC]
