Aston Villa

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Aston Villa boss Unai Emery says centre-back Pau Torres may be out for two months after suffering a metatarsal injury during Monday's draw with Brighton.

Emery told BBC Radio WM he and the club will have to analyse the situation "deeply" to decide whether it will have any impact on what business they do during the January transfer window.

Villa, who have the options of Diego Carlos, Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa in the absence of Torres, have a minus three goal difference in the Premier League but that is not a concern to the Villa boss.

"Our analysis is overall we are more or less being consistent because we are finishing this year in Champions League and being in good form there.

"In the league it's been tight. There are a lot of teams within a few points behind and in front of us. We have to try to keep being consistent starting [from] now and in the second part of the season go in the same direction.

"We have to improve a little bit because [we have] 29 points more or less [at halfway] and 58 is maybe needed for Europe this year. Of course, we lost some points and it's our fault about those points. That is maybe the only difference from being better than we could be."

Listen to Emery speaking to BBC Radio WM on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your thoughts after Monday's Premier League game between Aston Villa and Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

Villa fans:

Ian: Continually reminded how much we miss Diaby. The amount of times Bailey and Watkins could have been away with an extra yard of pace.

Mike: Unai is a brilliant manager, but even he can only do so much with the players at his disposal. Having to sell two players that are exactly what we need at this time - and arguably our best players at that time - is now showing in the levels we are able to achieve! We need replacements for Diaby and Douglas pronto, as well as a CB, RB and RW! January is not going to be the window to do it either sadly so more flogging of a dying horse to come I fear!

Andy: Very frustrated with the result. Our defence is shambolic at times. Unai should have made the substitutions much earlier as the midfield look shattered which gave Brighton the chance to equalise. Watkins has to be more clinical with his chances otherwise unfortunately he will find himself back on the bench when Duran is back available. Mid-table mediocrity beckons.

Steve: Symptomatic of our season. Some very good general play but mistakes in both boxes. So wasteful every game and weak mentality. Both goals conceded through the right back channel again. This season will either turn around or fizzle out. Fingers crossed Unai has the answers.

Brighton fans:

Sarah: 2-2 was probably a fair result, although I don't think the Pedro penalty should have stood. Brighton had more possession: 64% at 79 minutes. Great goal from Adingra and Lamptey is playing his socks off. Not sure what Igor was doing today. Some effective substitutions finally from Hurzeler, although Minteh needs to sort his boots out, having missed two scoring opportunities from slipping over. After the run of draws we've had with teams we should have beaten, we'll take the draw. Hope to beat Arsenal on Saturday! That's the Brighton way: perverse, but keeps us on our toes.

Mohan: Brighton looked great in periods, but we really need to stop making naive defensive errors. They have cost us a lot this season. Good fight from the team to get the draw though.

Billy: Delighted to see Tariq back on the scoresheet. He has had such bad luck with injuries but when he's fit he always gives the seagulls 100% and is a real live wire!

Hugh: Ooof. Another two points dropped. But Brighton can fairly say they were hard done by with that VAR decision. Anything that takes that long to decide is not a clear and obvious error! I'm a firm believer that Hurzeler will find a way to turn these draws into three pointers and we're being entertained in the mean time. Great to see Adingra and Lamptey on the scoreboard. I also love to watch Rutter run through traffic with the ball and Pedro's perseverance!

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Ollie Watkins has scored more Premier League goals against Brighton than against any other side for Aston Villa (7). The striker has now scored three goals in his last four starts in the competition.

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Aston Villa boss Unai Emery speaking to Sky Sports: "We played a very fantastic match more or less only the first 20 minutes we started lower than we were planning and we conceded one goal.

"We reacted and came back with 2-1. I have to accept it but I am a little bit frustrated with it. The table is very tight but we are in the race for the second part of the season.

"The result is at risk when you score one goal. We created some attacking third action and the corner we had with Ollie Watkins was maybe the key moment to win the match. We are ninth in the table and we have to try to start again against Leicester.

On Tyrone Mings: "He will be OK. He was just tired. He has his process of getting minutes and getting confidence. Hopefully, we will be OK for Saturday.

"We have to be proud of the year. We have to try to accept it and be happy with the result we had in 2024. Happy New Year to everybody."

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Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We've been in that position a few times this season and we've failed to see it out.

"We didn't lose but we should have taken all three points. It's always nice to score and provide for my team-mates. That's what I'm there to do after a few games out.

On long VAR wait: "Remain calm. Obviously, with VAR you never know how long it's going to take. I just stay calm and think about other things.

"When we scored, we dropped back and I'm not sure why that was. We weren't clinical in the end. We had a lot of attacks on the transition and we weren't clinical.

"Especially with the Champions League, having a big squad is crucial. We need that quality in the squad."

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport journalist

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Watkins had a point to prove on Monday night.

The England striker had been dropped by manager Unai Emery in favour of Colombian forward Duran in each of Villa's last three matches.

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

Watkins, playing on his 29th birthday, celebrated the milestone with a goal and an assist.

The livewire striker also went close a number of times with headers and 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 Tyrick Lamptey left unmarked in the area to snatch an 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.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Aston Villa's performance

What did you make of Brighton's display?

Come back to this page on Tuesday to find a selection of your replies

There are three games in the Premier League on Monday, and we will bring you every moment.

• Ipswich v Chelsea (19:45) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Aston Villa v Brighton (19:45)

• Man Utd v Newcastle (20:00)

Kick-off times are GMT

Follow all the action and reaction

Christmas is boxed off.

We're almost through the confusing days before New Year and January is within touching distance.

And we need your help - what is Aston Villa's New Year's resolution?

It could be a new player to sign, a tactical system to implement, an off-the-pitch matter or something else entirely.

Let us know

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

This week, he takes on musician Emma-Jean Thackray, who is a Leeds fan.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Both of these teams have been quite patchy in recent weeks, which makes them really hard to predict.

Brighton have gone six games without a win and, although they have only lost two of those, they seem to have lost a bit of the spark they had at the start of the season.

That makes me favour Villa more here, especially because they are at home - five of their six league defeats this season have come on the road.

Jhon Duran's suspension is a blow for Unai Emery's side but, unlike a lot of people, I actually think his red card against Newcastle was the right decision.

It is a real sickener for Emery, though. I know he was able to rotate Duran and Ollie Watkins up front, but recently Duran had been starting and scored in four straight games. He seemed to have that jersey nailed down, but when he comes back from his three-game ban, he will have to start again.

In the meantime it is down to Watkins to get Villa some goals. I am backing him to score here and to help them get the three points.

Emma-Jean's prediction: 2-2

Villa are a similar sort of club to Leeds - with a really great history and similar size of fanbase. We had several seasons recently of being right up against each other in the Championship and closely matched in the Premier League too, then all of a sudden Villa have taken off. I am going for a draw.

Read the full predictions and have your say

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Aston Villa midfielder Amadou Onana, speaking to club media, external following Thursday's defeat at Newcastle:

"The way we fought until the end, I don't think anyone abandoned [the effort][before the final whistle.

"We stuck together as a team, tried to do as good as we could and I'm proud of the team for showing that mentality."

On Monday's home fixture against Brighton:

"We've just got to try to be better - myself first - just try to get as many points as we can.

"We saw it last week [against Manchester City] that we can do it against big teams. I'm very excited for the game."

Villa boss Unai Emery added:, external

"We have to be positive and we have to understand our way. The table is very tight - we have a lot of teams within a few points [of each other] and of course Monday is our challenge again at home at Villa Park to try to get the atmosphere we want to create with our supporters.

"To play and to enjoy - and try to win."

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We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's Premier League game between Newcastle and Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

Newcastle fans

Richard: The annoying thing is that the sending off will dominate the headlines but the overall performance from Newcastle was excellent. Sandro Tonali is worth the ticket price on his own. Our very own Andrea Pirlo! A joy to watch him conduct the orchestra. It's no coincidence that our current good form coincides with Tonali's form.

Jona: Brilliant from start to finish. Big Joe man of the match - he is so key to our pressing game. Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes were good again and our midfield three is really clicking!

Katie: Normal service is resumed! The scoreline understates Newcastle's dominance - another perfect showing from Tonali and great efforts from Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and all the team. But, I'm still looking for reinforcements in January, especially in defence.

Russell: Another fantastic performance from the lads. Yes, the red card made a difference, especially as they were working their way back into the game. However, it's clear the spirit is back in this side and we are looking hard to beat. Roll on United and the Carabao Cup semi-final.

Villa fans

Keith: There's no shame in losing to Newcastle at St James' Park, but seriously, Jhon Duran - what on earth was going through his head?! It's also clear our squad, while stronger than last year, isn't strong enough yet to effectively challenge on all fronts. We need two elite players - an elite right-back and central attacking player to rotate with Morgan Rogers.

Ian: Poor. You'd think after a great win against Manchester City, we'd step up the levels. Conceding so early on set the tone and the sending off sealed it for Newcastle.

Jimash: Sending off changed the game. Not sure when travelling at speed and your left foot slips where you are supposed to put your right foot.

Sam: Such a shame after the City win. Duran is giving me massive Mario Balotelli vibes - moments of excellence v moments of immaturity. That's never going to give us the consistent performances we need to push for Europe, rather than getting pulled into mid-table vortex.

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The Match of the Day pundits believe referee Anthony Taylor made the wrong decision in sending Jhon Duran off against Newcastle.

Alan Shearer: "It was a harsh decision. I think the referee guesses based on the reaction of the players. When Duran plants his left foot, he twists his ankle when he puts it down, which automatically pushes you to the left-hand side. He has to come back in which is why he stands on him so I think it's a harsh decision.

"Once they have given it on the pitch they are not going to overturn it. I just think they should have slowed it down and given it a bit more time."

Joe Hart: "I get what Unai Emery is saying. He is not necessarily saying it's the wrong decision, but he is [criticising] such a knee-jerk reaction when the referee had the opportunity to go and look at it and have some understanding of why that has gone on.

"I completely agree [with Shearer]. Once the left ankle rolls, his immediate reaction is to compensate and that right foot comes over but there is not enough time [to avoid contact]."

Watch Match of the Day on iPlayer

Highlights and analysis from Boxing Day's eight Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist

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Jhon Duran has been responsible for some great moments for Aston Villa this season.

He has scored 12 times this season in all competitions, often coming on as an impact sub, none more memorably than when he scored the only goal as Villa beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

But Duran's 32nd-minute straight red card for violent conduct ended Villa's chances of getting something from an already difficult task away at Newcastle.

Villa were already 1-0 down, after Anthony Gordon's superb curled strike inside the opening 80 seconds, when Duran was dismissed.

Referee Anthony Taylor ruled the Colombia striker had deliberately stamped on Schar's back after the Newcastle defender had slid in for a challenge, although 21-year-old Duran, who later kicked a water bottle in frustration, claimed the contact had been accidental.

Unai Emery thought the video assistant referee should have got involved and urged Taylor to review the decision, while many believed Duran deserved to be sent off. Only he knows whether the contact was deliberate but there is no question the red card was costly.

Newcastle pair Alexander Isak and Joelinton added further goals on a miserable afternoon for Villa, who will now have to do without Duran for their next three matches.

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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery to Prime Video: "Newcastle here are very strong and circumstances happened in the match which were key for the result."

On the red card to Jhon Duran: "Always I am supporting VAR but you have to use VAR. Today the red card was clear for the referee straight away, he was the only person in the stadium who couldn't take his time. He has to be intelligent to take time and get the right decision.

"In this case you have to use the VAR. He has to be smart, and calm. It has to be like that.

"The red card more or less kills the game, it changes it completely.

"I do not know what happened at half-time."