Aston Villa vs Brighton Prediction & Betting Tips (11 February)

Aston Villa are currently 3rd in the Premier League and are 4 points ahead of 5th place, which does not qualify for the next Champions League. Once close to 1st place, the Birmingham-based club recently dropped some ground. Indeed, the Villans have only won one of their last 5 championship matches, for 2 draws and 2 defeats. After losing at home to Brentford 0-1, they brought home a point from Bournemouth last weekend 1-1. 2nd in the Europa League, Aston Villa qualified directly for the round of 16. Brighton now occupies 14th place in the Premier League, 8 points ahead of the first relegation team.

The Seagulls have been slowing down for several weeks now. Indeed, they have only pocketed one victory in the last 12 days, for 5 draws and 5 defeats. The only success was obtained at home against relegated Burnley in early January 2-0. Held to a draw at home by Everton 1-1, Brighton then lost, in front of their fans, against Crystal Palace last weekend 0-1. 

For this meeting, Aston Villa must do without executives Kamara, Tielemans and McGinn. We also find rookie Alysson and replacement full-back Garcia in the infirmary. Last weekend, England international Rogers (8 goals and 5 assists in PL) scored on an effort from winger Sancho (1 assist in PL). The influential Buendia (5 goals and 2 assists in PL) and Watkins (8 goals in PL) are also available, as is striker Abraham (0 goals in 2 PL games).

This winter, Aston Villa recruited midfielder Douglas Luiz (Juventus) and attackers Abraham (Besiktas), Alysson (19 years old, Gremio) and Madjo (17 years old, Metz) and saw the return of winger Bailey (Roma) from loan. In the opposite direction, Dutch international Malen was loaned to Roma, while Evan Guessand was loaned to Crystal Palace.