Aston Villa host Brighton at Villa Park in a mid-table Premier League contest.
Victory will see Villa climb to sixth if Newcastle loses elsewhere, whilst Brighton can go eighth if win by two goals or more.
Team News
Jhon Duran is suspended for Villa’s next three games following his red card in their Boxing Day loss at Newcastle.
Matty Cash is also suspended following his fifth booking of the season but Jacob Ramsey (hamstring) could return if match fit.
Brighton will be without Evan Ferguson due to a knock.
Adam Webster (hamstring), Danny Welbeck (ankle), Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), Jack Hinshelwood (knee) and Mats Wieffer (knock) could be available.
James Milner (hamstring) remains sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Villa host Brighton at Villa Park on Monday 29 December at 7:45pm, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Villa have lost one of their last seven meetings against Brighton (W5, D1, L1).
- Brighton have won one of their last five visits to Villa (W1, L4).
- Ollie Watkins has scored four goals in Villa’s last two home games against Brighton (W2), during which Villa netted eight goals and conceded twice.
- Morgan Rogers has scored in two of Villa’s last three home games.
- Jan Paul Van Hecke has lost more aerial duels than any other Brighton player this season (27).
Prediction
Having just been utterly outclassed at Newcastle in their last outing, Villa now need to just reset and rediscover their spark in a fixture which has suited them in recent seasons.
Brighton will be looking for their own improvements after another scruffy draw to go winless in six after a goalless draw against Brentford, in which they just weren’t clinical enough.
Although I do think that Villa will have the edge in what should be a competitive battle, my instinct is that both teams will get a point apiece.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-1 Brighton
Result: Aston Villa 2-2 Brighton