Aston Villa need three points at Brighton

Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa need three points when they head south to Brighton for a Premier League showdown on Saturday afternoon.

Villa, who have won once in their previous eight matches, are fresh off an embarrassing 1-0 defeat at home to Watford last weekend.

The result capped off a three-game stretch over which the side secured just one point against a trio of relegation candidates.

Now 13th in the Premier League table, Villa, with 27 points, are in more of a battle for survival than a battle for European qualification.

Brighton lost 3-0 to Burnley last weekend and have one win in their last seven league contests. They enter the weekend in ninth place with 33 points.

The sides last met on November 20, 2021, in what was Gerrard’s first match as club manager. Ollie Watkins and Tyrone Mings provided the goals in a 2-0 victory for Villa.

In the last 13 meetings between the two clubs across league and cup action since 1981, Villa have lost only once, in November of 2020.

Starved for goals, Brighton have tallied just 10 times in their previous 12 league matches.

Brighton vs. Aston Villa team news

Ezri Konsa returns to the Villa fold after serving a two-match suspension. He’s likely to return to the IX straight away.

Bertrand Traore and Marvelous Nakamba remain out for Gerrard, who has no new injuries to report.

Adam Webster and Enock Mwepu will miss out for Brighton, while Lewis Dunk returns from suspension.

Aston Villa projected Starting XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; McGinn, Douglas Luiz J. Ramsey; Buendia, Couthinho; Ings

Brighton projected Starting XI: Sanchez,; Lamptey, Duffy, Dunk, Cucurella; Moder, Lallana, Bissouma, Mac Allister; Maupay, Welback

Date/time: Saturday, February 26 at 3:00 PM BST/10:00 AM EST

Ground: American Express Community Stadium

TV/Streaming UK: Sky Sports

TV/Streaming US: Peacock