Aston Villa vs Brighton Player Ratings: Watkins and Rogers star in an entertaining draw as Villa and Brighton share points
Hosts Aston Villa came from behind to take the lead but were held late on by a spirited Brighton. The teams traded 4 goals in an entertaining draw. Adingra opened the scoring for the visitors after a positive start. Unai Emery’s side after a slow start recovered brilliantly to put some pressure on the visitors. Watkins converted a penalty won by Rogers and returned the favour for the latter by setting him up in the second half. Lamptey scored an unlikely equaliser for Brighton to earn them a point.
Both these sides started the season in great form but couldn’t keep up. Brighton were on a 6 game-winless run coming into this game. Aston Villa were in a hot and cold form of their own. This game would provide the right springboard for these sides heading into the new year. A mix of injuries and suspensions meant rotations from both sides.
The game started with an unfortunate clash of heads between Kamara and Joao Pedro. A lengthy layoff followed but both the players were fine. Pedro in particular came out the best as he brought Dunk’s long ball down for Adingra. The winger quickly sorted his feet out and sent one past Martinez to give Brighton the lead. Enciso almost made it 2-0 if not for a great save from the Villa goalkeeper.
The hosts grew into the game as Tielemans and Rogers ran riot. Rogers won a penalty off Joao Pedro from a corner and the returning Watkins despatched it with ease. There was no separating these sides in the first half but Villa came out flying early in the second half.
After a poor clearance from Brighton, Watkins found Rogers in the box and the youngster showed brilliant composure before volleying it into the back of the next. This prompted Brighton to make a triple change to kill Villa’s momentum and grab a footing in the game. The onslaught from Villa did stop as Brighton looked for an equaliser. But the seagulls weren’t able to really pose much of an attacking threat.
Just as everyone thought the time was running out, Pedro teed Lamptey and the right-back hit a brilliant first-time finish to draw Brighton level. It set up an interesting finale as Brighton suddenly started pushing for the winner. Watkins almost won the game with the final shot but it went well high and wide.
The result has no ramifications on the table as both these sides kept their places from before the kickoff. Aston Villa would surely be ruing the chance to go sixth in the table and are 9th now. Brighton meanwhile, languish in the last spot in the top half of the table. Their winless run extends to seven as the pressure mounts on the young Fabian Hurzeler.
Aston Villa Player Ratings vs Brighton
Goalkeeper
Emiliano Martinez: 6.5/10- Had no chance to save Adingra’s opener. But a crucial fingertip to deny Encisoo and keep the score down at 1-0. Should’ve probably done better for Brighton’s equaliser.
Defenders
Ezri Konsa: 6/10- Started at right-back again as Cash was suspended for the clash. Should have dealt with the long ball from Dunk better as he allowed Pedro to nick it away. Made dangerous runs on the overlap as well.
Diego Carlos: 6.5/10- He played as the deepest defender at times and was tasked with leading the line. Put in really strong tackles to win the ball high up.
Pau Torres: 6/10- Won a corner with an ambitious effort. That was his only highlight of the game as he was replaced within the opening 20 minutes due to an injury.
Lucas Digne: 7/10- Made crucial interventions in the box to put out some fires. Was happy to offer himself on the left for Rogers and delivered a number of crosses.
Midfielders
Boubacar Kamara: 7/10- Screened the defence for the most part and is slowly recapturing his form after a lengthy layoff. Was involved in a nasty collision with Joao Pedro. Nipped many promising situations for Brighton in the bud.
Youri Tielemans: 7/10- Another bright game as a deep-lying playmaker. Tielemans was excellent on the ball and picked out teammates with excellent long passes. Took a couple of pops at Brighton’s goal as well.
Leon Bailey: 6.5/10- Looked very lively from the word go and was always cutting onto his favourite left foot. Brighton did well to block his shots.
John McGinn: 6.5/10- Struggled to get involved in the game as Villa enjoyed using the wings more than the central regions. Made up for it with his industry to see out the game.
Morgan Rogers: 8.5/10- Villa’s key attacking outlet, Rogers was threatening to hurt Brighton on the ball every time he had it. Danced past van Hecke was unfortunate not to win a penalty. There was no denying him when Pedro caught him in the box shortly after. Got on the scoresheet early in the second half as he finished expertly past Verbruggen after bringing Watkins’ lob down.
Attacker
Ollie Watkins: 9/10- A classic Watkins performance to earn the starting spot once more as Duran is suspended. Watkins ran the channels and created openings from the left. He dispatched a fantastic penalty to draw Villa level and should’ve headed them ahead from Digne’s corner. Set up Rogers soon after the break. Should’ve probably won the game with the virtual last kick.
Substitutes
Tyrone Mings: 6.5/10- Mings was tasked with shadowing Joao Pedro and got too tight on him to earn a yellow card in the first half.
Jacob Ramsey: 6/10
Ian Maatsen: 6/10
Amadou Onana: 6/10
Ross Barkley: 6/10
Manager
Unai Emery: 6/10- He would’ve been delighted by his side’s comeback in the game. Watkins did his best to win Emery’s trust. The ability to not see out the game would surely be stinging him. A chance to climb up to the sixth place was on the cards today but the team have let him down.
Brighton Player Ratings vs Aston Villa
Goalkeeper
Bart Verbruggen: 7/10- A great reactionary save to deny Lucas Digne after his strike had a wicked deflection. Went the wrong way as Watkins drew Villa level from the spot. Had a lot of key interventions to do in the second half.
Defenders
Tariq Lamptey: 7.5/10- Involved in a superb battle with Rogers, Lamptey showed good defensive instincts at times to put Brighton out of trouble. Scored an excellent goal to draw level late in the game after finding himself centrally in the box.
Jan Paul van Hecke: 7/10- Put in a risky tackle on Rogers in the box and sighed once the penalty claim was turned down by the VAR. Defended much better later on as he killed many counters.
Lewis Dunk: 6/10- Sprayed a great long ball for Brighton’s opener and had a tough time keeping up with Watkins. Almost scored an own goal with an awkward clearance.
Igor: 6.5/10- More of a defensive full-back, Igor defended narrow at times to add numbers in the box. Had Adingra to thank for many times to defend the wider areas.
Midfielders
Yasin Ayari: 6/10- A bit slow to react as Tielemans and Rogers enjoyed getting away from him and dictating play on their left. He was wasteful with deliveries from set pieces as well.
Carlos Baleba: 7/10- The best player on the pitch in the first half as he was everywhere on the field. Defended the box when needed and won the ball back a number of times to set Brighton away on dangerous breaks.
Brajan Gruda: 5.5/10- The least involved in the attacking unit of the visitors. Failed to contain Digne and use the spaces vacated by him.
Julio Enciso: 6.5/10- Unleashed a fine curling effort only to be tipped away by Martinez. Was full of creativity with the ball. Waned off in the second half and was substituted.
Simon Adingra: 7.5/10- Made full use of Pedro nicking the ball from Torres and unleashing an unstoppable shot past Martinez. Was very dangerous on the breaks. Was replaced by Mitoma for more control.
Attacker
Joao Pedro: 8/10- He stayed on the pitch and carried on with a headband after a horrific clash of heads with Kamara. Even went to grab an assist by setting up Adingra. Had a fine shot saved by Martinez. Set up Lamptey late on for an equaliser.
Substitutes
Kaoru Mitoma: 7/10
Georginio Rutter: 6/10
Yankuba Minteh: 6/10
Matthew O’Riley: 6/10
Jakub Moder: N/A
Manager
Fabian Hurzeler: 6/10- The start and the end of the game were great for the young manager, but the middle part of the game wasn’t that good. Having started the game strongly his team couldn’t carry on the momentum. A rallying triple change turned the tide as they won a point. The winless run continues for Brighton as Arsenal is next on the fixture list.
What is Brighton’s record against Aston Villa?
Brighton have only won twice against Aston Villa in all competitions. Their record is 2W-5D-7L
What was the result of Aston Villa vs Brighton?
Aston Villa shared points with Brighton after a 2-2 draw.
Who was the best player in Aston Villa vs Brighton?
Watkins was the best player in Aston Villa vs Brighton.
Who was the worst player in Aston Villa vs Brighton?
Gruda was the worst player in Aston Villa vs Brighton.