Kick-off: 1500, 18/01/2020
Stadium: Amex Stadium
Brighton have been strong at Amex Stadium in the Premier League since the start of October, posting four wins and two draws from eight games here.
Aston Villa’s overall away record is poor, losing eight times, although they did prevail at Burnley recently and score more often than not on the road.
We favour 2/1 for Albion to win and both teams to score for our opening Brighton vs Aston Villa prediction.
A Look At Brighton’s Betting Odds
Brighton could have no complaints about a 1-0 loss at Everton last weekend, having been outplayed for long periods, even if substitute Glenn Murray missed a good chance to equalise late on.
“We have to try to help our players get to make the most of those situations,” commented manager Graham Potter.
“If you look at the [Everton] goal, the difference is a real bit of high quality.
“Maybe that’s the difference between the two teams in the end, in terms of the scoreline. It is something we have to keep working on.”
Albion can be forgiven an FA Cup loss when making lots of changes and had previously followed up a 2-0 league win over Bournemouth with a 1-1 draw versus Chelsea at this venue.
The Seagulls have tended to come on strong after the interval in front of their own fans, so 9/10 they outscore the visitors in the second half appeals from the Brighton vs Aston Villa odds.
Last Brighton line-up: Ryan, Duffy, Dunk, Webster, Montoya, Bernardo, Stephens, Trossard, Propper, Maupay, Jahanbakhsh.
Brighton have midfielder Aaron Mooy fit and in contention to return after a knee issue, although Dan Burn (broken collarbone) and Jose Izquierdo (knee) are long-term absentees.
A Look At Aston Villa’s Betting Odds
Villa slipped into the relegation zone after being thrashed 6-1 by Manchester City in the midlands, with Anwar El Ghazi’s stoppage-time penalty little consolation.
Dean Smith’s side have lost six of their last nine league games and suffered their heaviest home defeat in almost four years.
The manager said: “We’re a proud club with a proud history and standing there at 6-0 down wasn’t a pretty picture for myself.
“We contributed to our downfall, we made mistakes for goals and the third summed up the whole game.
“They made 20 passes without any contact and [Sergio] Aguero puts it in the top corner with no-one within three or four yards of him.”
To be fair, Villa have beaten Brighton 2-1 at home in this competition, as well as prevailing 3-1 here in the EFL Cup, with much-different line-ups.
The capture of former Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina from AC Milan on loan until the end of the season is a boost, with Tom Heaton ruled out by a knee injury.
Away wins at Norwich and Burnley also highlight how Villa can compete with other teams near the bottom, but we just think Brighton are a bit better than that this term.
Five of Neal Maupay’s seven Premier League goals have come in the second half, so let’s add 3/1 for him to score last to our Brighton vs Aston Villa betting tips.
Last Villa line-up: Nyland, Taylor, Konsa, Elmohamady, Hause, Mings, Drinkwater, Luiz, Grealish, Hourihane, El Ghazi.
On-loan AC Milan goalkeeper Pepe Reina is likely to be handed his Villa debut, after Tom Heaton’s long-term knee injury. Wesley is out with his own season-ending knee problem while John McGinn (fractured ankle), Keinan Davis (hamstring) and Jonathan Kodjia (illness) are sidelined.
Additional stats
Last result:
Everton 1-0 BRIGHTON
ASTON VILLA 1-6 Man City – Anwar El Ghazi (pen)
Head-to-head: Aston Villa 2-1 Brighton, Brighton 1-3 Aston Villa
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