EPL: Brighton's Unbeaten Run Ends as Aston Villa Claim Crucial Win

Aston Villa secured a crucial 3-0 win over Brighton, moving within three points of the top four and boosting their UEFA Champions League hopes.

Aston Villa took a significant step towards a top-four finish in the Premier League, securing a convincing 3-0 victory over Brighton at the Amex Stadium. This win brought Brighton's five-game unbeaten run in the league to a halt.

Brighton aimed to capitalize on their pace on the counter-attack, opting to cede possession to Aston Villa in the early stages. However, this strategy ultimately proved ineffective as the visitors dominated the match, paving the way for their decisive win. The result marked a disappointing return to league action for Brighton, who were looking to rebound from their recent FA Cup exit.

The first half of the match was a tightly contested affair, with clear-cut chances scarce. Manchester United's Marcus Rashford had a promising opportunity, but he failed to capitalize on it. After taking a superb touch and working the ball onto his right foot, Rashford dragged his shot wide of the target. Meanwhile, Aston Villa's Matty Cash came close with a driven half-volley that sailed just over the bar.

As the half drew to a close, Brighton began to gain momentum and nearly took the lead just before the interval. Yasin Ayari's free-kick appeared to be heading into the net, but Emiliano Martínez made a crucial intervention, barely touching the ball onto the post. In the ensuing chaos, Jacob Ramsey was involved in a VAR review after the ball struck his arm, but he escaped unpunished.

The dynamics of the match shifted in the second half, as Aston Villa launched a swift counterattack that yielded the opening goal. Marcus Rashford sprinted clear of the Brighton defense and kept his composure to slot home Morgan Rogers's precise through-ball, scoring his first Premier League goal since joining on loan. However, Villa's lead was nearly short-lived, as Simon Adingra exploited indecision in the Villa backline. Nevertheless, Unai Emery's side was spared when a VAR review revealed a Kaoru Mitoma handball in the buildup, nullifying the goal.

Aston Villa's three goals in their win over Brighton were all scored by winter signings ✨

⚽️ Marcus Rashford
⚽️ Marco Asensio
⚽️ Donyell Malen pic.twitter.com/KOn4k0UGDt

— Premier League (@premierleague) April 2, 2025

In an attempt to turn the game around, Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler made four changes, but ultimately, it was one of Unai Emery's substitutions that proved decisive. On 78 minutes, Marco Asensio, who had come off the bench, slotted home a composed finish from the edge of the area, with Ollie Watkins the provider once again, but initially credited to Rodgers. This goal effectively sealed the win for Aston Villa.

The hosts struggled to create any meaningful opportunities in the final stages, and Aston Villa took advantage of this. Deep into injury time, Donyell Malen added a third goal to put some gloss on the scoreline. The victory marked a significant milestone for Aston Villa, as they leapfrogged Brighton in the standings and moved within three points of a top-four spot. Meanwhile, Brighton now trails Aston Villa by a single point in the intense battle for a UEFA Champions League berth next season.