Preview: Brighton Vs Aston Villa — Out Of Form Sides Meet At The Amex

Two out of sorts teams meet at the American Express Community Stadium (Amex) on Saturday as Brighton and Hove Albion take on Aston Villa in a 3pm kick-off on the south coast.

Both sides lost at home against relegation battling opponents in their previous outings, with the Seagulls suffering the ignominy of a 3-0 home reverse at the hands of Burnley, while Aston Villa were beaten 1-0 at home by Watford.

Albion’s effervescent first half of the campaign is in danger of fizzling out following two successive league defeats, with the loss of key defender Dan Burn seemingly affecting an erstwhile solid backline against Manchester United and Burnley.

Brighton's improvement this season has been undermined by a struggle to convert draws into wins, Graham Potter's troops having participated in a Premier League high 12 stalemates so far this term.

The Seagulls have reserved most of their struggles for home fixtures, netting a meagre ten goals at The Amex in 12 matches.

Home PL table

Villa are following a similar trajectory to their opponents, with single goal defeats to Newcastle United and Watford torpedoing the ‘new manager bounce’ previously enjoyed by Steven Gerrard, who has now won five and lost five of his dozen games at the helm.

The Villans, in contrast to their hosts, don’t share points on their travels, resulting in four wins and eight defeats to date, although they have struggled to put the ball in the back of the net away from Villa Park, averaging less than a single goal per game on the road.

Away PL table

Form Guide

Both teams' recent toils have seen them drop towards the bottom end of the form table — a single win apiece recorded in their past half dozen matches.

Brighton have scored a paltry five goals in their previous six, although Graham Potter’s men can count themselves a tad unfortunate to have lost influential captain Lewis Dunk to a red card against Manchester United, meaning he was suspended for the subsequent game against The Clarets.

Villa have been similarly uninspiring, with strikers Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins struggling in front of goal, and expensively acquired full-back Lucas Digne failing to make the expected impact thus far.

Form table. Credit: The Fishy.

Brighton and Hove Albion Premier League form:
D D D W L L

Aston Villa Premier League form:
L D W D L L

The teams have met 28 times in the past, with Aston Villa enjoying 14 wins, Brighton five, and nine encounters ending all square.

Injuries and suspensions

Brighton will welcome captain Lewis Dunk back from suspension, while fellow central defender Adam Webster is expected to return following a slight groin strain.

The game is likely to come too early for teenage winger Jeremy Sarmiento who continues his recovery from hamstring surgery, which has kept him out since December.

Enock Mwepu will also miss out with a thigh injury.

Aston Villa will be without Marvelous Nakamba who remains out with a long-term knee injury.

Bertrand Traore is close to a return but unlikely to be risked this weekend.

Better news for the Villans is the return of central defender Ezri Konsa following suspension for his dismissal against Leeds.

Predicted line-ups

Brighton (4-3-2-1)

Aston Villa (4-4-1-1)

Prediction: Brighton 1 - 2 Aston Villa

Albion are in danger of allowing their promising season to drift towards bottom half obscurity, while Villa still need a few wins to secure top-flight survival.

Potter’s side have been disappointing in front of their own fans, and Villa don't do away draws, so expect a welcome win for Gerrard's troops.