Brighton v Aston Villa preview: Team news, lineups, betting odds, prediction
Aston Villa will be keen to secure their sixth consecutive win as they prepare to face Brighton in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
The Villans secured a superb 3-0 win last time out against Preston North End, earning a place in the semi-final of the FA Cup in the process.
Goals from Jacob Ramsey and Morgan Rogers proved to be the difference at Deepdale as attentions now turn to league action at the Amex on 2 April.
Unai Emery will be hopeful of securing yet another win to push Villa up the table, over 25 days since their last Premier League outing against Brentford.
Brighton v Aston Villa preview
Positivity is brimming at Villa Park right now after securing an FA Cup semi-final place while also having a Champions League quarter-final to look forward to.
The excitement of a clash at Wembley and against PSG in a two-legged clash is huge, but for now, attention will be on the Seagulls.
With the win against Preston being just three days before the clash on the south coast, squad rotation could prove to be necessary.
It is unclear which direction Emery will go, especially given Brighton have had just one day more rest after their penalty defeat against Nottingham Forest.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side played for 120 minutes plus penalties last time out, being dumped out of the FA Cup thanks to a Ryan Yates spot-kick.
It will be interesting to see how the German’s side can bounce back at the Amex and if Villa can take advantage while morale may be low.
Brighton v Aston Villa team news
The Villans are arguably in their best position of the season in terms of fitness, with only Ross Barkley set to miss out on Wednesday.
The former England international has been absent since January and it is unclear whether he could pick up any minutes moving into the first game in April.
By comparison, the Seagulls have a raft of injury issues which is set to leave their side light as the West Midlands outfit travel South.
| Brighton injury issues | Aston Villa injury issues |
| Ferdi Kadioglu | Ross Barkley |
| Igor | – |
| James Milner | – |
| Jason Steele | – |
| Joel Veltman | – |
| Solly March | – |
| Tariq Lamptey | – |
Ferdi Kadioglu, Igor, James Milner and Jason Steele have all been out for an extended period and look set to miss out once again.
Hurzeler also looks set to be without Joel Veltman, Solly March and Tariq Lamptey who were all absent for the cup defeat against Forest.
Predicted lineups
Brighton: Verbruggen, Hinshelwood, van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan, Baleba, Gruda, Pedro, Mitoma, Adingra, Welbeck
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Kamara, Tielemans, Ramsey, Rashford, Malen, Watkins
Betting Odds
Brighton: 21/20
Draw: 29/10
Aston Villa: 11/5
(All odds according to Bet365 as of 31 March).
Prediction: Brighton 2-2 Aston Villa
The Villans have been in electric form, but at some stage, the fixture pile-up is likely to have an impact.
Both sides have played within days and are likely to feel the impact of that, which will certainly make for an interesting clash at the Amex.
Watkins will be hopeful of having a say after being benched for Rashford, who netted two against Preston in the FA Cup.
With that being said, conceding goals could prove to be an issue against an attacking side like Brighton who will be hopeful of a win themselves.
A score draw could prove to be the result as both sides look to return to league action.