Southampton vs Brighton LIVE: Result and reaction from Premier League fixture today
Re-live all the action from St Mary’s as the Seagulls edged closer to safety
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Brighton drew with Southampton at St Mary’s on Thursday, missing out on a chance to secure their place in next season’s Premier League.
Neal Maupay opened the scoring on 17 minutes as the visitors looked set to guarantee their survival, but Danny Ings struck his 20th league goal of the season shortly after the hour mark to ensure the points were shared.
Re-live all the action below:
What are the odds?
Southampton – 13/10
Draw – 5/2
Brighton – 5/2
Prediction
Both teams will want to get on the ball and control possession, which could lead to an open match with counter-attacks aplenty and chances at both ends. Saints are more clinical, so they win.
Team news - Changes
Carlo Ancelotti makes five changes to his team after labelling their spirit against Wolves as unacceptable. Yerry Mina is injured so he was forced out with Mason Holgate, Alex Iwobi, Bernard, Andre Gomes and Seamus Coleman all returning.
For Aston Villa, Neil Taylor has a hamstring injury so he's replaced with Matt Targett in defence.
As things stand...
Aston Villa (30) go into the match 19th in the Premier League table, four points away from safety. Immediately above them are Bournemouth (31) who have played a game more. Then come Watford and West Ham (34 points each).
With just two games left after this one Aston Villa need to pick up all three points here if they have any hopes of remaining in the top flight next season.
Everton are safe with no prospects of making it into Europe next season.
Post lockdown form...
Carlo Ancelotti has been a revitalising figure at Goodison Park since he took over but the restart of the Premier League has seen the Toffees in indifferent form to say the least.
In the six matches since lockdown, Everton have won two, drawn two and lost two. The most recent match ending in a 3-0 defeat away to Wolves.
Post lockdown form...
Aston Villa have had a tough time of things. Seven matches since the restart, one win, two draws and four losses later they remain four points adrift of safety.
The good news is that their sole victory came in their last match, a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace last Sunday.
Can Villa take that momentum with them to Goodison Park tonight?
England's No. 1 goalkeeper has come under criticism for his form of late after making a serious of bumbling errors. Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti conceded that Pickford's current form is alarming:
Head-to-head
Everton versus Aston Villa is the most played fixture in English top-flight history with the Toffees winning 76 of the 203 meetings compared to Villa's 74.
If Villa do manage to pick up all three points tonight they'll have secured their first league double over Everton since the 2000/01 season.
But, it's been over a decade since Aston Villa last won at Goodison Park. You have to go back to December 2008 when they won here 3-2.
Aston Villa need to avoid relegation if they hope to hold on to their main stars. Jack Grealish is already rumoured to be heading out the door of Villa Park and into the ones at Old Trafford:
Aston Villa boss, Dean Smith, talked to Sky Sports about the pressure his team are under in their relegation battle, he said:
"It's a very big evening. No bigger than it was on Sunday but obviously the pressure is building. There's just a few games left and they're ones we have to win so tonight we're coming here to try and win the game.
"It's certainly given the lads a big lift. Their performances have merited at least two or three wins since we've come back and we had to wait until Sunday to get that win against Crystal Palace. It was fully deserved on the day and it gives them that belief to keep persisting with the performance levels. If you do that then you win games."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments