Brighton vs Aston Villa LIVE: Premier League result and final score after late Joao Pedro winner
Brighton 1-0 Aston Villa: The hosts ended a six-game winless run to stall Villa’s top-four hopes
Brighton snapped a six-match winless run in the Premier League when they beat Aston Villa 1-0 at home after Joao Pedro scored an 87th-minute winner in a scrappy affair.
Simon Adingra had been Brighton’s busiest player throughout the game and it was his foray into the box late in the second half which drew a foul from Villa full back Ezri Konsa which forced the referee to point to the spot.
Villa’s stand-in keeper Robin Olsen had made several saves to keep his side in the game and even denied Joao Pedro from the spot, but he could do nothing when the Brazilian headed home the rebound for his 20th goal of the season in all competitions.
The result moved Brighton up to 11th place with 47 points while Villa are fourth with 67 points as they continue to wait to seal a spot in next season’s Champions League with fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur still in the hunt.
Follow the latest action from the Premier League below.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Aston Villa
Brighton have already managed two shots on target today - one more than during the entirety of last week's game against Bournemouth - and they are showing signs that they can test the Premier League's fourth-placed team.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Aston Villa
Webster spots some space on the right flank and clips a long ball over the top, but Gross is caught just offside as he tries to spring Aston Villa's trap.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Aston Villa
Adingra treads on Bailey's boot in a 50-50 challenge, causing the Villa forward to tumble to the turf. Despite receiving various complaints, the referee decides that's not worthy of a yellow card, though.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Aston Villa
The corner-kick is swung over by Gross from the left, and Welbeck rises to meet it inside the six-yard box. However, it strikes his back and flies over the crossbar.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Aston Villa
Konsa can't cut out a ball out to the left flank, allowing Adingra to run into space and deliver a cross; Villa ultimately scramble it away for a corner, but Brighton are growing in confidence now.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Aston Villa
SAVE! Having done well to steal the ball in midfield, Adingra tricks his way past McGinn and then lets fly with a firm strike at goal from around 20 yards out. Olsen has to dive to his right in order to palm it away to relative safety! That's superb play from the Ivorian!
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Aston Villa
After Diaby reaches the ball on the lef side of the area, he opens up a shooting angle, but his low shot is sent more or less straight at Verbruggen. It's been a pleasingly open start so far.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Aston Villa
Adingra cuts inside from the left and lines up a shot at goal, but his low strike lacks venom is easily claimed by Villa's back-up goalkeeper Olsen, who has big boots to fill today.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Aston Villa
Digne and Diaby combine on the left, before Rogers almost latches onto the ball in Brighton's box. The Villa winger topples to the turf under a challenge from Buonanotte, then appeals for a penalty, but both the referee and the VAR are disinterested.
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