[Albion] Brighton & Hove Albion vs Aston Villa *** Official Match Thread ***

Albion v Villa

PREMIER LEAGUE

Venue: The American Express Stadium
Date: Wednesday 2nd April 2025
Kick-off: 19:45 BST
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Assistants: Constantine Hatzidakis, Mark Scholes
Fourth Official: Simon Hooper
VAR: Matthew Donohue
Additional VAR: Neil Davies
​

• Brighton won at home to Aston Villa in the Premier League for the first time last May, courtesy of João Pedro's late goal (D2, L2).
• This season's reverse fixture ended 2-2, meaning Villa are winless in two meetings – having won the previous five.

• Brighton are vying to set a club record on Wednesday of four top-flight home wins in a row.
• They have only lost two of their 14 league games at the Amex Stadium this season but, with 21 goals, are the lowest scorers at home among the current top nine teams.
• Nonetheless, Albion could score at least two goals in six successive top-flight matches for the first time.
• They have taken 13 points from their past five league fixtures home and away, only dropping points in a 2-2 draw away to Manchester City before the international break.
• João Pedro could become only the fifth player to score in three successive home appearances for Brighton in the Premier League. His last two goals were both penalties.

• They could earn back-to-back away league wins for the first time since doing so at the beginning of the season.
• Villa's run of five successive victories in all competitions is their longest since August and September last year.
• Unai Emery's side have kept four clean sheets in those past five games, as many as in their previous 29. They have recorded three consecutive shutouts for the first time in 14 months; Villa last went four matches without conceding a goal in December 2020.
• Fourteen of their past 15 goals in all competitions have been scored in the second half.
• Aston Villa's tally of 13 Premier League goals from set-pieces this season, excluding penalties, is unsurpassed prior to the midweek fixtures.
• Ollie Watkins has scored 13 league goals this season; six were equalisers and five gave Villa the lead.

Nottseagull said:

FAO HRH The Prince of Wales

Sir - I believe you have admitted to contributing to football forums anonymously, so I thought there was a fair chance you might peruse our board today!
My concern is with the FA's attitude to the once revered FA Challenge Cup competition, which is slowly dying a death. The latest trivialisation occured on Sunday when the BBC pundits were allowed to make the semi-final draw amongst themselves informally, even before the fourth tie got under way. I remember when winning teams were allowed to relish their victories before the all-important event was staged in the austere surroundings of Lancaster Gate, usually on the Monday lunchtime. But this is not my main concern; that is due to the FA's outrageous decision to abolish replays. It was always the case that the teams with the misfortune to be drawn away were to some measure compensated by only having to play there for 90 minutes, but having up to 120 minutes at their own ground if a replay was necessary. When replays were abolished for the final and semi-finals, it was sold to us on the basis that the neutral grounds removed this disadvantage and so there was no reason why they couldn't go straight to extra time, then penalties if necessary. But when the FA decided to take it a step further and abolish replays for the latter rounds, a line was crossed. This is the decision I would like to see reversed, because it's like a virus spreading throughout the competition. We heard Gary Lineker question why we should even bother with the extra time following the Albion's goalless 90 minutes v Forest and if nothing is done, this will become the next stage of the disease.
Although it happened well before your birth, I'm sure you will have learned about the romance of Hereford v Newcastle, but that fixture would never have taken place under today's rules; either Hereford would have gone out at St James' Park after extra time or on penalties, or they would have faced West Ham probably by virtue of a hollow penalty victory. Tamworth's players and supporters were this season denied the replay they richly earned by holding Tottenham to a draw after 90 minutes, an experience they would have remembered for the rest of their lives. So,Tamworth were denied a chunk of maybe a million pounds in gate receipts, all because big clubs like Tottenham insist they are too busy making millions from European competition.
I sincerely hope, Sir, that you are in agreement and will consider using your influence to arrest this decline.
Thank you for at least reading thus far.

By the way, this has got to be my favourite royal photograph of all time!
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oldboyroy said:

Don't fancy our chances in this 1 and fear a 0 3 defeat with Watkins and that Ascencio or whatever his name is causing mayhem

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Beach Hut said:

So excited

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Insel affe said:

Like most, I fear an implode after Saturday, but what keeps my lacklustre mood slightly above water paddling like a puppy to save his life. Is the way we rallied and went on that magnificent run after we got tonked 7-0 at Forest. There must be an inner strength within the squad and despite still feeling I had been mugged on Saturday night of all hope and joy, I must remember that and get behind the team today. If we start groaning and fearing the worst, the team will feel that on the pitch.

"So let your voices ring, my boys, And take the time from me,
And I’ll sing you a song as we march along,
Of Sussex by the Sea!"

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