Aston Villa 2 Brighton 2: Villa denied by late Brighton strike

This 2-2 draw with Brighton means Unai Emery’s team will enter the new year playing catch-up in the race to again qualify for the Champions League through the Premier League.

Tariq Lamptey’s 81st minute equaliser meant Villa took only a point from a match they would have claimed three with better finishing and composure in the final third.

Their defence, meanwhile, continues to concede too many goals, particularly in the late stages of matches. Lamptey’s goal was the 11th they have conceded in the final 15 minutes of games this season, more than any other team.

All told, it is not a recipe for success. For a long time it looked like a VAR call had turned the night in Villa’s favour. 

Emery, who called for the system to be used more often in his programme notes after the frustration of Jhon Duran’s red card at Newcastle, watched as Villa were awarded a penalty following a monitor review from referee Craig Pawson, who finally adjudged Joao Pedro to have fouled Morgan Rogers. 

Ollie Watkins thumped home from the spot to cancel out Simon Adringa’s opener and when Rogers then scored to put Villa in front two minutes into the second half, Emery’s men were in control.

But they failed to press home the advantage and were made to pay when Lamptey struck late. Even then Villa could have forced a winner but Watkins blazed over with virtually the last kick.

That soured what had looked like being a decent birthday for the England international, back in the team due to Duran’s suspension. It was Watkins who set up Rogers’ goal with a deft pass but such moments were elusive on a night Villa were wasteful. 

Of biggest concern, meanwhile, was an injury sustained by Pau Torres which saw the centre-back helped off the pitch.

Brighton’s Joao Pedro had been fortunate in the eyes of many to avoid punishment when he aimed an elbow at Brentford’s Yehor Yarmoliuk during Friday night’s 0-0 draw.

There was some irony, therefore, in the striker sustaining an head injury in the opening minute from an accidental clash with Boubacar Kamara which required him to wear a bandage for the rest of the game.

Yet it was Villa’s defence which soon had the headache. Neither Ezri Konsa or Torres dealt with Lewis Dunk’s long punt forward. It wasn’t clear whether Pedro got a touch before Adingra nipped in and swept a finish beyond Emi Martinez and into the corner of the net.

Torres’ night lasted only eight minutes longer as he picked up an injury which required him to be helped down the touchline by two members of Villa staff.The hosts would have been level had Leon Bailey made better contact with a Rogers cross but Martinez was then required to save from Julio Enciso before Jan Paul van Hecke headed wide from the corner.

Van Hecke was then involved in the first Villa penalty call when he slid in to challenge Rogers. The defender appeared to get little of the ball but referee Pawson waved away the home side’s appeals and video assistant Attwell did not recommend a video review.

It was a different story when, from the corner Villa were awarded, Rogers tumbled again, this time under the challenge of Pedro.

This time Pawson was sent to the monitor and after more than two minutes of deliberation finally pointed to the spot. Watkins sent Verbruggen the wrong way and Villa were back level.

The hosts pushed hard to get ahead before the break but lacked finesse in the final third, Bailey pulling a shot well over the bar. Watkins also saw an effort deflected into the side netting.

Yet within two minutes of the restart they were ahead thanks to the kind of precision which had largely eluded them in the opening half.

Brighton could not properly clear a corner and Watkins picked out Rogers with a lovely lofted pass. The chest control and low finish inside the far post were equally as impressive.

Villa looked eager to add further to the lead but Watkins hesitated when played in by Bailey and did not get his shot away. The England international also sent a header too close to Verbruggen from a Digne cross.

The hosts just could not find the second and almost came a cropper when slack passing at the back allowed Pedro to advance into the box, only to blaze the shot high and wide. With 10 minutes remaining, substitute Yankuba Minteh also fired wide from just outside the box.

Seconds later, the visitors level. Lamptey raced into the Villa half and was there to fire home when Kaoru Mitoma’s cross was flicked into his path by Pedro.

Watkins had the best chance to win it but could not get his late shot on target as Villa were left to rue what might have been.

Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez, Konsa, Carlos, Torres (Mings 20), Digne, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Rogers, Bailey, Watkins Subs not used: Nedeljkovic, Onana, Ramsey, Buendia, Maatsen, Barkley, Philogene, Olsen (gk).

Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Lamptey, Van Hecke, Dunk, Igor; Ayari (O’Riley 68), Baleba; Gruda (Rutter 58), Enciso (Mintah 58), Adingra (Mitoma 58); Pedro Subs not used: Steele, March, Moder, Veltman, McConville.