Premier League Aston Villa 2 Brighton & Hove Albion 2 Full time

Ollie Watkins ended a run of six games without a goal

Ollie Watkins celebrated his 29th birthday with a goal and an assist but his Aston Villa side were held by Brighton in a hard-fought Premier League encounter.

The draw extended Brighton's seven-match winless run, despite the Seagulls scoring first in the 12th minute through Simon Adingra's curling effort on the break.

Having been denied a penalty moments earlier, Villa were awarded one in the 36th minute after a four-minute video assistant referee (VAR) check.

Referee Craig Pawson was called to the pitchside monitor to confirm Brighton forward Joao Pedro had caught Morgan Rogers in the area, just after Lucas Digne had a low shot saved.

Watkins levelled as he sent keeper Bart Verbruggen the wrong way with a confident spot-kick on his return to the starting line-up.

Villa completed a fine comeback two minutes into the second half when Watkins chipped a lovely ball over the top which Rogers collected and buried into the bottom corner.

But they were unable to hold on to a fifth win in seven in all competitions as Brighton full-back Tariq Lamptey levelled in the 81st minute with a driven finish past Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez.

The hosts stayed ninth in the table. They are three points off fifth spot, a position which might be enough for Champions League qualification this season.

Brighton, who have won just once in 15 away games at Villa, remained in 10th place.

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Watkins makes his point with impressive return

Watkins had a point to prove on Monday night, having been dropped by manager Unai Emery in favour of Colombian forward Jhon Duran in each of Villa's last three matches.

But with Duran suspended following his red card at Newcastle at the weekend, the England striker was given his first start in almost three weeks.

Villa had their first penalty appeal rejected in the 30th minute when Rogers and Jan Paul van Hecke collided in the area, but VAR backed up the referee's call to wave play on.

From the very next phase of play, though, Brighton striker Joao Pedro attempted to clear from a corner and caught Rogers instead of the ball.

VAR checked the incident and also ruled out an earlier foul on Brighton keeper Verbruggen, eventually awarding the spot-kick which Watkins coolly converted.

The livewire striker then went close a number of times with headers before he set up Rogers for Villa's second.

Watkins also had a chance in the final minute following a corner but fired his effort over the bar from close range.

But, while he and Villa impressed going forward, the hosts lost concentration late on at the back, with Lamptey left unmarked in the area to snatch the equaliser.

It meant Villa have now conceded 11 goals in the last 15 minutes of Premier League matches, more than any other side this season.

Brighton battle but fail to find December win

On reflection, Brighton will be happy with a point.

The Seagulls created little in the first half after their goal, although Fabian Hurzeler's side were on the ascendency in the closing stages.

Brighton haven't won in the Premier League since they beat Bournemouth 2-1 away on 23 November.

Although they have rallied over the Christmas period, they have now drawn each of their past three.

In response to his side's inconsistent form, Hurzeler made four changes to his starting XI.

Adingra and Lamptey were two of those who came into the team and both rewarded their 31-year-old boss with goals.

Brighton are at home to title challengers Arsenal on January 4 - a match which could extend their winless run to eight, while Aston Villa face strugglers Leicester next at home on the same day.