Brighton will play Aston Villa at Villa Park just before the new year. This EPL match sees two top-half teams with a reputation for playing attractive and attacking styles clash in their first encounter of the season. Both teams have started relatively well, with just one point between them on the standings at the time of writing. Read on as we discuss the details and expectations of this crunch clash come early-winter.
- Home Team: Aston Villa
- Away Team: Brighton and Hove Albion
- Venue: Villa Park
- Date: December 30, 2024
Team standings in the Premier League and other insights
Aston Villa
Aston Villa is currently ninth on the standings after 11 matches with five wins, three draws, and three losses, giving them 18 points. This return is relatively modest, considering the heights they reached last season. However, when you consider they are juggling their league duties with the demands of playing in the UCL, they are coping quite well.The Villains maintain the same strong squad with World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, midfielder John McGinn, and star striker Ollie Watkins. They also strengthened over the summer by acquiring physically imposing midfielder Amadou Onana and the dynamic Morgan Rogers.
Brighton
On the other hand, Brighton has taken very well to the appointment of new young German manager Fabian Hurzeler. They sit sixth on the table with 19 points after 11 games with five wins, four draws, and two losses. They have no European commitment, which could be an advantage in the race for the top six, as they can entirely focus on the league.The Seagulls also retained the strength of their squad with no departures. The likes of Kaoru Mitoma, Joao Pedro, and Captain Lewis Dunk are all still on their books. New additions like Yakuba Minteh and Ferdi Kardioglu have added more squad depth to the team.
Expert match prediction and picks
Aston Villa has been dominant in recent meetings, with six of the last ten matches resulting in a win. Two meetings ended in wins for Brighton and another two in draws. A closer look at the last five in this venue makes for an even bleaker reading for the Seagulls, with Villa winning four matches, including the last three on the bounce at their home stadium.Brighton has, however, been at least competitive, scoring in four of their last five visits. Fans can expect another action-packed clash at Villa Park with 18 goals across five games here. Check out the top pick for this match covered on the Sportytrader website. You’ll also find expert predictions on the game and other soccer matches on the EPL at Sportytrader.
This Premier League match is scheduled over the holidays, so it’s still a while away, with at least six rounds of matches before then. It is essential to keep tabs on the form of both teams leading to this game, as well as the injuries and availability of key players. This might play a vital role in the eventual outcome of the match.