Follow live coverage as Aston Villa face Brighton & Hove Albion today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Manchester City look to make it an unprecedented five titles in a row come the end of 2024/25.
The likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will be chasing Pep Guardiola's side, but just as fascinating will be the race for Champions League places, with more teams than ever before having designs on top-four finishes. Chelsea remain big-spending, Manchester United's latest rebuild continues and both Tottenham and Newcastle will expect improvements this year - yet it was Aston Villa who snared fourth last term.
Meanwhile, it's Southampton, Leicester City and Ipswich Town who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
Aston Villa FC 2 - 1 Brighton & Hove Albion FC
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
21:07
That was Rogers' sixth Premier League goal of the season and Watkins' fourth assist. The Villa duo have looked a constant threat for Emery's side against Brighton today.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
21:05
Villa now have a free-kick as they push for another goal. Tielemans sends a dipping cross towards Verbruggen, but Baleba gets to it first and heads away from danger for Brighton.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
21:02
Assist Oliver George Arthur Watkins
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
21:00
McGinn gets the second half under way for Aston Villa at Villa Park!
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:52
Aston Villa have looked the most dangerous side so far, creating 1.34 expected goals (xG) from 12 shots. Brighton have produced just 0.43, but there's nothing to separate the two teams at the break. According to Opta's live win probability calculator, Aston Villa have a 44.3% chance of winning from here, with a draw at 34.7% and a Brighton victory at 21%. Chasing a goal, Emery would usually call upon either Watkins or Duran, depending on which player starts, but the latter is suspended. Could we see the Spanish manager introduce Philogene, Ramsey, or Barkley with his side level at half-time? Hurzeler won't be happy with the number of chances his side have given up, and he will want to see them show more in the final third.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:49
Aston Villa and Brighton go into the break with the scoreline level at 1-1 in the Premier League at Villa Park. The Seagulls opened the scoring as Adingra pounced on a loose ball inside the Villa penalty area, and his curling effort went beyond Martinez and into the far corner. Villa wanted a penalty later in the half as Rogers was brought down by Van Hecke, but after a lengthy VAR review, the referee said no. Just moments later, Rogers was upended once again, this time by Joao Pedro, and Emery's side were awarded a penalty this time. Watkins stepped up, and he calmly slotted into the back of the net to equalise for Villa. It's been an end-to-end affair so far with plenty of action!
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:43
HALF-TIME: ASTON VILLA 1-1 BRIGHTON
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:43
It's another corner for Villa after Watkins' shot is blocked. Digne delivers into the middle and Watkins is there to meet it as he arrives unmarked, but he heads over the bar! He should be hitting the target from there!
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:41
Villa are ending the half strong as Watkins finds Digne on the left. He delivers a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but none of his team-mates are on the same wavelength and Brighton can win it back.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:38
Yellow Card Yasin Abbas Ayari
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:38
Rogers finds Digne on the left and he delivers into the box, but Baleba heads away. Villa come forward again, but Brighton clear for a throw-in. Emery's side are on top as we head towards half-time.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:34
Mings, who was brought on early in the first half, is booked after a late challenge on Joao Pedro.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:34
Rogers finds Watkins down the left and he cuts inside, driving towards the centre of the penalty area. He's shaping to shoot, but Lamptey does well to get back into position and make the challenge.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:32
The fourth official has indicated that there will be 12 minutes of added time at the end of the first half. There has been two lengthy VAR checks, so it's no surprise.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:28
Close! Tielemans receives the ball in between the lines, and he turns well before shifting it onto his left foot. He unleashes from range, but his effort is always going away from goal and it's wide.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:27
Adinrga is found on the left and he drives at Konsa, bursting into the box. He floats a cross to the back post, but Digne casually chests the ball back to Martinez between the sticks.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:24
Rogers goes into the book for Aston Villa for a late challenge on Baleba.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:22
Penalty Goal Oliver George Arthur Watkins
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:20
VAR are now checking another penalty for Aston Villa! Rogers was brought down by Joao Pedro, and we await a decision. He's heading to the monitor...
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:18
Instead of a penalty, it's a corner to Villa! Tielemans delivers to the front post and Verbruggen spills it. It falls to Digne on the edge and he fires to the bottom corner, but the Brighton corner makes a superb save!
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:17
Villa want a penalty... but the referee says no! Rogers drives into the penalty area and bursts past Van Hecke, and he goes to ground! Villa Park erupts, but the referee waves play on! VAR are now checking the incident...
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:13
Close! Enciso cuts inside from the left, shifting it onto his right foot, and he sends a curling effort towards the bottom corner. Martinez dives down to his left, and he just about gets a finger to it and tips it behind for a corner!
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:12
Chance! Rogers drives down the left and delivers into the box. Bailey swings a leg at it and it falls to Watkins, but he fails to turn it home and it's behind for a goal-kick to Brighton.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:10
It's another corner for Villa, who are on top at the moment. Bailey takes this time and it's sent to the back post, but the referee blows for a foul on Dunk inside the Brighton penalty area.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:07
Emery is forced into making an early change with Torres picking up an injury. Mings comes on to replace him.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:07
Bailey's cross is put behind by Dunk, and it's a corner for Villa. Digne will take for the home side and he delivers to the front post, but Baleba heads away from danger.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:05
Aston Villa look to counter-attack as Rogers drives with the ball down the left. Digne is found, but Emery's side are forced backwards. The home supporters let out a groan as they grow frustrated with their team.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:03
Digne delivers into the penalty area, but it's headed away. McGinn has gone down inside the box, but the referee has waved away their protests.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
20:01
Adingra has now scored his second goal in the Premier League this season, netting for the first time since 17th August 2024 against Everton. Brighton have avoided defeat in their last four matches when scoring first in the Premier League, since a 1-2 loss to Liverpool on 2nd November 2024.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
19:59
Assist Lewis Carl Dunk
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
19:57
Torres attempts an ambitious effort from range, and it deflects behind for a corner to Villa. Bailey will take and he plays it short before crossing into the box, but Enciso can clear.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
19:56
Rogers plays a one-two with Tielemans and bursts into the penalty area. He attempts to a fire across goal towards McGinn, but Van Hecke does well to block before Verbruggen gathers.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
19:55
Joao Pedro is brought down by Carlos inside the Villa half, and it's a chance for Brighton to fill the box from a free-kick. Gruda delivers to the back post, but Dunk can't quite get there.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
19:52
Joao Pedro is eventually back to his feet after the nasty clash of heads, and it looks as though he's going to be able to continue for now.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
19:51
Joao Pedro is still on the ground, receiving treatment. The physio team are patching him up, and hopefully, he will be able to continue. The Brazilian striker now has a bandage strapped around his head, but play is still yet to continue.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
19:48
There's been an early clash of heads between Joao Pedro and Kamara, and there's going to be a break in play. Joao Pedro appears to have come off worse, and he's now receiving treatment.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
19:47
Ayari gets the game under way for Brighton at Villa Park!
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
19:46
The players are making their way out onto the pitch ahead of kick-off. The last time the two sides met, Brighton secured a 1-0 victory at home to Emery's men.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
19:37
Meanwhile, Hurzeler has made four alterations from Brighton's 0-0 draw with Brentford. In defence, Lamptey and Igor both come into the starting XI. Veltman drops to the bench, while Pervis Estupinan is not in the squad. Adingra and Ayari are also named in the side, with O'Riley and Mitoma benched.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
19:37
Emery has made three changes from their previous fixture against Newcastle, a 3-0 loss away from home. Jhon Duran and Matty Cash are both suspended, and they will be replaced by Watkins and Carlos. Bailey also comes into the starting XI, with Onana dropping to the bench.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
19:37
BRIGHTON SUBS: Solly March, Georginio Rutter, Jakub Moder, Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma, Jason Steele, Matt O'Riley, Joel Veltman, Ruairi McConville.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
19:32
BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1): Bart Verbruggen; Igor Julio, Lewis Dunk, Jan Paul van Hecke, Tariq Lamptey; Carlos Baleba, Yasin Ayari; Simon Adingra, Julio Enciso, Brajan Gruda; Joao Pedro.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
19:32
ASTON VILLA SUBS: Tyrone Mings, Ross Barkley, Emiliano Buendia, Jaden Philogene, Kosta Nedeljkovic, Ian Maatsen, Amadou Onana, Robin Olsen, Jacob Ramsey.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
19:32
ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez; Lucas Digne, Pau Torres, Diego Carlos, Ezri Konsa; Youri Tielemans, Boubacar Kamara; Morgan Rogers, John McGinn, Leon Bailey; Ollie Watkins.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
19:21
Coming into this round of matches, no team has scored the first goal in more different Premier League away games than Brighton this season (seven). However, the Seagulls have only gone on to win three of these games (D2 L2). Brighton have lost their final game of the calendar year in just two of their seven seasons in the Premier League (W3 D2), with both defeats coming in home games against Arsenal (2020 and 2022). Fabian Hurzeler's side are winless in six straight Premier League games and currently sit in 10th place on 26 points.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
19:21
Hosts Aston Villa are in ninth place on 28 points after 18 matches and were defeated 3-0 in their last Premier League match at St. James' Park against Newcastle United. Unai Emery's side are looking to win their final league game in consecutive calendar years for the first time since 2007/2008, following a 3-2 win against Burnley in their last game of 2023. Villa have lost just one of their last 14 Premier League home games (W7 D6), and are unbeaten in their last eight at Villa Park since a 2-0 loss to Arsenal in August (W5 D3). A win today would put them level on points with Manchester City, who currently sit in fifth place.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
19:16
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Premier League fixture between Aston Villa and Brighton at Villa Park.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
19:15
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Aston Villa vs Brighton & Hove Albion
17:45
Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
