Albion under-21s moved off the foot of the table with their second win in the Barclays Premier League at the Amex tonight.
Goals in each half by James Muitt and Charlie Harris earned Simon Ireland's side a 2-0 victory against Aston Villa.
New manager Chris Hughton was in the crowd as the Seagulls added to their September success over Derby County to move above Stoke and Wolves and to within a point of Villa.
Right-winger Jason Davis almost gave Albion an early lead with a far post volley just over the bar.
The Seagulls had a let-off midway through the first half when Villa centre-forward Michael Drennan failed to connect with a free header from a Henry Cowans free-kick.
Albion threatened themselves from a set piece shortly afterwards, skipper Glen Rea's angled header from a Harris free-kick forcing Villa keeper Craig Hill to save at his near post.
They went close from another well-worked free-kick, Robin Deen scopping narrowly over from a Davis cross.
The Seagulls went ahead in the 36th minute, Muitt meeting Nzuzi Toko's right-wing centre with a downward header.
Harris doubled the advantage ten minutes after the break with a stunning strike from 20 yards.
Toko almost stretched the lead on the hour but his effort from Rob Hunt's right-wing cross was kept out by Hill.
Albion (4-1-2-3): Walton; Hunt, Pappoe, Dallison, Barnett; Rea; Toko, Harris (Starkey 76); Davis (Maguire-Drew 65), Deen, Muitt. Subs not used: Doherty, Wiltshire, Barclay.
Aston Villa (4-1-2-3): Hill; Leggett, Lewis, Toner, Wildin; Cowans; Crooks (Hale 61), Calder (Webb 76); Sellars (O'Brien 46), Drennan, Nehemie. Subs not used: Bannister, Strain.
Original article
Goals in each half by James Muitt and Charlie Harris earned Simon Ireland's side a 2-0 victory against Aston Villa.
New manager Chris Hughton was in the crowd as the Seagulls added to their September success over Derby County to move above Stoke and Wolves and to within a point of Villa.
Right-winger Jason Davis almost gave Albion an early lead with a far post volley just over the bar.
The Seagulls had a let-off midway through the first half when Villa centre-forward Michael Drennan failed to connect with a free header from a Henry Cowans free-kick.
Albion threatened themselves from a set piece shortly afterwards, skipper Glen Rea's angled header from a Harris free-kick forcing Villa keeper Craig Hill to save at his near post.
They went close from another well-worked free-kick, Robin Deen scopping narrowly over from a Davis cross.
The Seagulls went ahead in the 36th minute, Muitt meeting Nzuzi Toko's right-wing centre with a downward header.
Harris doubled the advantage ten minutes after the break with a stunning strike from 20 yards.
Toko almost stretched the lead on the hour but his effort from Rob Hunt's right-wing cross was kept out by Hill.
Albion (4-1-2-3): Walton; Hunt, Pappoe, Dallison, Barnett; Rea; Toko, Harris (Starkey 76); Davis (Maguire-Drew 65), Deen, Muitt. Subs not used: Doherty, Wiltshire, Barclay.
Aston Villa (4-1-2-3): Hill; Leggett, Lewis, Toner, Wildin; Cowans; Crooks (Hale 61), Calder (Webb 76); Sellars (O'Brien 46), Drennan, Nehemie. Subs not used: Bannister, Strain.
Original article