Unai Emery's Aston Villa produced a breathtaking comeback to secure a dramatic 4-3 victory away at Brighton & Hove Albion in a Premier League encounter packed with incident and goals.
Brighton Blitz Stuns Villa
The match at the Amex Stadium began in chaotic fashion for the visitors. Villa's plans were disrupted before kick-off when first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was injured in the warm-up, forcing Dutch deputy Marco Bizot into action.
Bizot's evening started disastrously. After just nine minutes, he misjudged the flight of a Pascal Groß corner, allowing Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke to head into an empty net. The opener was contentious, with replays suggesting the corner should not have been awarded after a deflection off Stefanos Tzimas.
Brighton, inspired by captain Lewis Dunk making his 500th appearance for the club, doubled their lead before the half-hour. A cross from substitute Jack Hinshelwood took a cruel deflection off Villa defender Pau Torres and looped into the net, leaving manager Unai Emery fuming on the touchline.
Watkins Leads Villa Fightback
Just as Brighton seemed in control, Villa sparked into life through the determination of recalled striker Ollie Watkins. He halved the deficit before the break, showing great desire to convert a cross from Ian Maatsen.
Emery's side drew level in the seventh minute of first-half stoppage time. A magnificent long pass from Morgan Rogers found Watkins, who coolly slotted past Bart Verbruggen to send the teams in at 2-2 and completely shift the momentum.
Villa carried their ascendancy into the second half and took the lead for the first time around the hour mark. From a corner, Boubacar Kamara rose unmarked at the far post to head home, with Brighton's Mats Wieffer culpable for failing to challenge.
Breathless Finish Seals Villa Triumph
The drama was far from over. Villa extended their lead to 4-2 when substitute Amadou Onana's shot was saved by Verbruggen, only for Donyell Malen to pounce on the rebound from close range.
Brighton set up a grandstand finish when Van Hecke powered in his second goal of the night, making it 4-3. The home side pressed for an equaliser, but Villa's stand-in goalkeeper Bizot redeemed his early error with a crucial late save from Danny Welbeck to preserve the three points.
The victory extends Aston Villa's unbeaten run to six matches in all competitions and strengthens their claim for a top-four finish and Champions League qualification. For Brighton, it was a first home defeat of the season, exposing defensive frailties despite a bright start.
