Brighton enter this showdown with renewed confidence after climbing to fifth following a commanding 2–0 win away at Nottingham Forest. The Seagulls made an explosive start at the City Ground, registering a club-record nine shots inside the opening 20 minutes, setting the tone for a dominant November in which they recorded three wins and a draw., Softfootball reports.
Remarkably, that run produced three clean sheets as many as they had managed in the entire season before the month began reflecting a growing defensive maturity under Fabian Hürzeler. With momentum firmly on their side, Brighton now have the chance to strengthen their European aspirations by extending their unbeaten home start.
The Amex Stadium has become an increasingly tough ground for visitors this season, with Brighton scoring two or more goals in each of their last five matches on home soil. Their attacking fluidity, driven by quick transitions and intelligent wide play, continues to trouble even the league’s most resilient sides.
A win here would mark their first-ever run of four consecutive Premier League home victories a sign of how far Hürzeler’s project has developed. With confidence high and key players finding form, Brighton will be eager to protect their home record and keep pace with the top four.
Aston Villa remain firmly in the top-four mix after grinding out a 1–0 Midlands derby victory over Wolves, maintaining pressure on the leading pack. Unai Emery’s side have been one of the Premier League’s most consistent teams across 2024 and 2025, recording 11 wins from their last 13 competitive matches and heading into this test with five straight victories.
Their tactical discipline, strong structure, and efficiency in moments of pressure make them a serious Champions League contender this season. Yet, their recent away form introduces a note of caution, Villa have suffered two defeats in their last three league away games , and those inconsistencies will need addressing at the Amex.
The next few weeks represent a defining stretch for Villa, with the festive fixture list including two matches against league leaders Arsenal. Emery will see this clash as a crucial benchmark of his squad’s resilience on difficult away trips. While Villa’s matches have produced a league-low goals per game, their clinical edge including nine goals from outside the box this season ensures they remain dangerous even when not at their free-flowing best.
This encounter against an ascending Brighton side will test Villa’s ability to manage tempo, maintain compactness, and capitalise on key attacking moments.
Team News
Brighton avoided any fresh injury setbacks in their win over Nottingham Forest, giving Fabian Hürzeler a stable and rested squad for this top-four showdown. Diego Gómez remains one of their form players, with seven competitive goals this season and notably, Brighton have scored 15 unanswered goals in matches in which he has found the net.
The Seagulls’ midfield balance and defensive organisation continue to improve, and with no major rotation expected, Hürzeler should field a familiar and well-drilled XI.
In preparation for tomorrow’s clash Aston Villa via its official X handle shared highlights from the last meeting between both sides which ended in a 3-0 win for Villa at the Amex stadium. Aston Villa hopefuls will be hoping th team replicates this fantastic result tomorrow. They posted:
Aston Villa’s camp suffered a small scare when Ross Barkley limped off just 13 minutes after coming on against Wolves, putting his involvement in doubt. However, the squad will look to Morgan Rogers, who signed a new contract extension earlier this month and has been in outstanding form.
Rogers’ dynamism, creativity between the lines, and improved end product have made him one of Villa’s key attacking threats this season. With Ollie Watkins who has seven goals and two assists in nine Premier League meetings with Brighton also leading the line, Villa will feel confident they have enough firepower to trouble the Seagulls.
Possible Lineups
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Kadioglu, Van Hecke, Dunk, De Cuyper; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Hinshelwood, Gomez; Tzimas
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Tielemans, Onana; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins
Meanwhile, Unai Emery spoke to the press ahead of tomorrow’s game, Aston Villa via its official X handle shared moments from his presser. Watch video below:
SoftFootball Prediction
Brighton’s growing defensive solidity and superb home form give them a strong platform heading into this match, and their ability to generate early pressure could once again set the tone at the Amex. However, Villa’s consistency under Unai Emery, combined with the threat of in-form players like Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins, ensures this will be a tightly contested affair.
Prediction: Brighton 1–1 Aston Villa
