The hosts are currently occupying seventh spot in the English top flight standings, having collected 58 points from 37 games, just a solitary point clear of eighth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
Aston Villa will host Brighton & Hove Albion on the final-day Premier League showdown at Villa Park on Sunday evening, knowing that a victory will earn them a place in next season’s Europa Conference League. The hosts are currently occupying seventh spot in the English top flight standings, having collected 58 points from 37 games, just a solitary point clear of eighth-placed Tottenham Hotspur. Brighton, meanwhile, are sitting one place above the Lions, separated by four points, hand have already ensured qualification for 2023-24 Europa League following last weekend’s hard-fought 1-1 draw against champions Manchester City at Falmer Stadium.
For the final time this season… it’s MATCHDAY in the #PL! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/CqJTDJ5f0A
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) May 28, 2023
Aston Villa are heading into the match on the back of a 1-1 draw away to Liverpool last weekend. Unai emery’s men were on their way to secure all three points an Anfield courtesy of Jacob Ramsey’s first-half effort but an outgoing Roberto Firmino’s 89th-minute equaliser meant that the match ended in a draw. Despite taking just four points from their last four outings, the Lions are in pole position to qualify for next season’s Europa Conference League. 12 wins of their 21 Premier League games in 2023 allowed the Lions have climb to the top seven and three points on Sunday will assure themselves a place in next season’s Conference League irrespective of what happens in the match between Tottenham and Leeds United, and Brentford vs Manchester City.
Brighton, on the other hand, shared the spoils against Man City last time out thanks to Julio Enciso’s 38th-minute equaliser. Although Brighton have been inconsistent in the last couple of weeks, recording two wins, two defeats and a draw from their previous five outings, Roberto de Zerbi’s men have secured a place in Europe’s second tier tournament for next season. The Seagulls boast the fourth-best away-record in the Premier League this term, having taken 28 points from 18 games on the road. Meanwhile, Brighton have only beaten Villa once in their seven Premier League meetings, losing each of their last three competitive encounters.
The reverse fixture in November at Falmer stadium saw Villa come-from-behind to secure a 2-1 victory. Brighton took the lead through Alexis Mac Allister inside the opening minute, before Danny Ings scored a double to secure the victory for the Lions. It was Villa’s third consecutive victory against the Seagulls, scoring six goals and conceding only once in the process. Meanwhile, Brighton have only beaten Villa once in their seven Premier League meetings. Both these clubs have faced each other 23 times across all competitions, with Villa prevailing14 times, compared to just two victories for Brighton.
Key Details | Stats |
Total matches | 23 |
Aston Villa won | 14 |
Brighton won | 2 |
Draws | 7 |
Total Aston Villa goals | 39 |
Total Brighton goals | 18 |
Biggest Aston Villa win | 4-1 (1980) |
Biggest Brighton win | 2-1 (2020) |
Last 5 match-results | Score |
Aston Villa draw Brighton | 2-2 |
Aston Villa beat Brighton | 1-2 |
Aston Villa beat Brighton | 0-2 |
Aston Villa beat Brighton | 2-0 |
Brighton draw Aston Villa | 0-0 |
More football news:
Manchester United: How can Erik ten Hag fill Antony’s absence in the Starting XI?
Leicester City vs West Ham United: The Foxes receive major boost ahead of season defining contest