Brighton v Aston Villa: match preview | Football

Aston Villa need to move quickly on from last week’s thrashing and refocus on how to get the better of their relegation rivals Brighton. Dean Smith’s side have a respectable 14 points from eight games against teams in the bottom seven so panic must not set in despite currently residing in the danger zone. A huge boost is Pepe Reina’s arrival in between the sticks. The Spaniard’s 285 appearances in the Premier League for Liverpool will provide much-needed guidance for the second-worst backline in the league – one goal shy of conceding exactly two goals per game. Brighton will hope Reina’s advancing age renders him a spent force. Graham Potter would be well-advised to try and test him severely. Graham Searles

Saturday 3pm

Venue Amex Stadium

Last season n/a

Referee Andrew Madley

This season G6 Y20 R1 3.67 cards/game

Odds H 4-6 A 4-1 D 7-2

BRIGHTON

Subs from Button, Steele, Bong, Stephens, Murray, Schelotto, Baluta, Connolly, March, Bissouma, Alzate

Doubtful None

Injured Burn (collarbone, Feb), Izquierdo (knee, Feb), Balogun (hamstring, unknown)

Suspended None

Discipline Y32 R2

Form DLLWDL

Leading scorer Maupay 7

ASTON VILLA

Subs from Kalinic, Nyland, Taylor, Chester, Ramsey, Lansbury, Jota, O’Hare, Elmohamady, Engels, Hourihane, Vassilev, Drinkwater

Doubtful Targett (hamstring)

Injured Davis (hamstring, Feb), Steer (achilles, Feb), Heaton (knee, Aug), Wesley (knee, Aug), McGinn (foot, unknown)

Suspended None

Discipline Y39 R1

Form LLWLWL

Leading scorer Grealish 6