Aston Villa chase Europa Conference League qualification against Brighton & Hove Albion at Villa Park.
Victory would see Villa finish seventh and guarantee qualification for next season’s UEFA Europa Conference League, whilst Brighton are assured of sixth place no matter what.
Team News
Calum Chambers could feature for Aston Villa after he missed their 1-1 draw at Liverpool due to illness.
Diego Carlos is doubtful after picking up an unspecified injury during the game at Anfield.
Alex Moreno (hamstring), Philippe Coutinho (muscle) and Jed Steer (Achilles) remain ruled out
Brighton have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 1-1 draw at home to Manchester City in midweek.
Robert Sanchez (personal), Tariq Lamptey, Jakub Moder (both knee), Jeremy Sarmiento (foot), Solly March and Adam Lallana (both hamstring) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Aston Villa host Brighton at 4:30pm BST at Villa Park on Sunday 28 May, live on Sky Sports Football, Mix and Sky Showcase in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Aston Villa have lost just one of their last seven league meetings against Brighton (W4, D2, L1).
- Brighton have won one of three previous Premier League visits to Villa (W1, L2).
- Villa have scored twice in each of their last three meetings against Brighton (W3), of which two of those three victories were by 2-0 results.
- Unai Emery’s Villains have conceded just one goal in their last six home matches (W6), which came in their last home match as they beat Tottenham 2-1 at Villa Park.
- Brighton have won just two of their last five away matches (W2, L3).
Prediction
With Europa Conference League qualification in their own hands, Villa know that this game is theirs to lose especially after a resilient draw at Liverpool, where they were excellent across the pitch in frustrating the Reds until a late error cost them the win.
Emery’s Villains though can’t afford to get worked up about what Tottenham and Brentford are doing elsewhere, as only a win would certainly guarantee Villa a place in Europe although a draw or defeat would be enough if Spurs and Brentford both lose elsewhere.
As for Brighton, they have secured Europa League qualification and sixth place amidst injuries so it wouldn’t be surprising if they turn up more relaxed, which actually could make them more dangerous with the pressure now off them coming into a fixture which hasn’t been kind to them.
Either way, it is very difficult to see this game finishing goalless and if Brighton bring the same quality which they displayed against Man City in midweek, I think that they can snatch a draw and put Villa’s destiny in the balance.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Brighton
Result: Aston Villa 2-1 Brighton
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