Brighton 1-2 Aston Villa: Danny Ings claims double as Villa claim first away win
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Danny Ings has now scored four goals in as many games after his double against Brighton.
Danny Ings believes Aston Villa have "something to build on" after he scored twice to guide his side to their first Premier League away win of the season against Brighton.
Ings struck after Alexis Mac Allister had claimed Brighton's fastest goal in the Premier League with an opener after just 49 seconds.
"This was the perfect way to finish [before the World Cup break]," the Villa striker told BBC Sport. "We knew how tough it was going to be.
"To come here and get the win was massive for us."
Mac Allister put Brighton ahead when he took the ball from Douglas Luiz, following a heavy pass from Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez, and slotted in.
But Ings levelled from the penalty spot in the 20th minute after Lewis Dunk fouled John McGinn in the box.
Despite the game being relatively open, Villa were better in the final third and they continued to cause problems for Brighton.
Luiz made up for his earlier error when he played a part in his side's 54th-minute winner. He challenged Mac Allister on the edge of the box before pushing the ball into the path of Ings who tucked away a calm finish at the near post.
"Today we were speaking about [Ings'] best position," added Villa boss Unai Emery. "If he can have players to assist him with good balls he can be between two centre-backs. He played very well."
Despite their bright start and having much of the possession in the game, Brighton did not do enough to trouble Villa keeper Martinez.
They drop to seventh place, while Villa go into the break for the World Cup sitting in 12th, five points clear of third-bottom Nottingham Forest.
Emery's instant impact as Villa show fighting spirit
Emery 'proud' as Villa beat Brighton for first away win
Aston Villa have struggled on the road this season, but new manager Emery has already made an impact to change their fortunes.
Villa beat Manchester United at home in his first game in charge and, after a Carabao Cup loss at the Old Trafford side in midweek, they have now picked up that crucial first league away win.
Ings added: "Every manager is different with their gameplans. As a player, it's great because you know you're going to improve."
Emery's men also scored two goals, another welcome boost given Villa had scored only three away from home before the trip to Brighton.
It was a battling display, reflected in seven bookings for Villa players from nine in the match.
Emery, whose side next host Liverpool on Boxing Day, will go into the break enthused by what he has seen since replacing Steven Gerrard.
Brighton lack creative spark and falter under pressure
Brighton 1-2 Aston Villa: Roberto de Zerbi did not see' fair play during Brighton defeat
Despite having more than 65 per cent of possession and putting Villa under late pressure, Roberto de Zerbi's side failed to make their dominance count.
Mac Allister's early goal proved nothing more than a consolation and Brighton's recent positive run came to a disappointing end.
They followed up league wins against Chelsea and Wolves by beating leaders Arsenal in the Carabao Cup, but issues which were evident at Molineux last weekend were evident again.
It took a late goal from Pascal Gross to claim the three points at Wolves after defensive errors had left the game in the balance at 2-2.
Brighton had only two shots on target against Villa on Sunday and faltered under pressure to concede the decisive second goal.
The fifth-minute substitution of the injured Adam Lallana also saw them lose a much-needed creative spark.
De Zerbi will now be looking to address issues at both ends of the pitch if Brighton are to maintain their position in the top half of the table.