Aston Villa ends 2024 with disappointing draw against Brighton

Aston Villa started the year by reaching a Europa Conference League semi-final and qualifying for the Champions League for the first time in their history.

However, their ambitions of finishing in the top four again seem hamstrung by inconsistency, producing results like this.

Ollie Watkins looked to be Villa’s hero as he celebrated his birthday in style with a goal and an assist, putting his side 2-1 up after Simon Adingra’s early opener for Brighton.

But Unai Emery’s men could not see it out and succumbed to an 81st-minute equalizer by Tariq Lamptey.

The draw leaves both sides on the periphery of the European places, with Brighton’s winless run extending to seven games.

The Seagulls took a 12th-minute lead with a real route one goal.

Ezri Konsa struggled to handle Lewis Dunk’s long ball sent over the top, leading to a critical mistake.

Adingra seized the opportunity, composed himself quickly, and fired the ball into the bottom corner for the goal.

Villa struggled to find their form and nearly fell behind by two goals before the half-hour mark.

Emiliano Martinez made a full stretch save to deny Julio Enciso’s shot, keeping Villa in the game.

Following the save, Jan Paul van Hecke had a golden opportunity with a free header from the resulting corner but missed the target.

The hosts finally came to life and leveled after a crazy period that saw two VAR checks for penalties.

The first incident occurred when Morgan Rogers seemed to be chopped down by Van Hecke, prompting VAR review.

However, VAR official Stuart Attwell decided there wasn’t enough evidence to overturn referee Craig Dawson’s on-field call.

Following the resulting corner, more drama unfolded as Joao Pedro kicked Rogers after Seagulls goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen misplayed the ball.

Referee Dawson initially did not award a penalty kick but later changed his decision after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor.

Birthday boy Watkins stepped up and treated himself to an eighth goal of the season.

That swung the momentum in Villa’s favor, and they probed for a second, with Youri Tielemans flashing an effort wide and Watkins heading a good chance over from a corner.

They needed just 72 seconds of the restart to go in front as Rogers bagged his sixth of the campaign.

Watkins turned provider as his lofted pass from a recycled corner played in his England teammate, who fired into the bottom corner.

Villa could smell blood and pushed for a third, with Watkins heading straight at Verbruggen from Lucas Digne’s cross.

Midway through the second half, Boubacar Kamara lost the ball in a dangerous area, putting his team at risk.

Pedro seized the chance to strike but unfortunately fired the ball over the goal, wasting a key opportunity.

Villa was stung in the 81st minute as Brighton equalized out of nowhere.

The visitors disrupted a Villa attack, then Lamptey advanced the ball and finished strongly after receiving Mitoma’s pass.

Watkins had two chances to win the game, but he lashed his final opportunity over the bar.

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