Brighton & Hove Albion

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

Roberto de Zerbi has been speaking to the media before Brighton travel to Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday (15:00 BST kick-off).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• De Zerbi confirmed forward Joao Pedro has picked up an ankle injury and is unsure if he will feature again this season. However, defender Tariq Lamptey could return to the bench.

• On Pedro's injury: "I am sad for that because Joao is important for us, especially in this moment when Julio Enciso and Ansu Fati are not at the top of their level of condition."

• On how long before Enciso is back to his best: "He has to stay focused and start next pre-season at his best. He has to accept this moment, playing with team-mates and not alone on the pitch. Because he is younger and he didn't play so many games, he has motivation that is higher than a normal player."

• On the team's feelings despite not qualifying for Europe: "We have to be happy or sad depending on the attitude we showed. I think we have worked well and we gave our best - and then we have to accept the result. We are disappointed for the past three months because I think we couldn't compete with our quality, our possibility - but for the rest, we have to proud of this season."

• De Zerbi said Pascal Gross, who won two club awards this week, has become "a great, great player and a top player for us" and that "he can play in every big team because he is smart, he is a very good player and his passion and attitude is incredible".

• He added: "I hope he can stay with us. I work to help the players to become better. If Pascal has an offer then we can understand. I want him to stay with us, but his level now is higher than two or three season ago."

• De Zerbi said he feels St James' Park is "the best stadium in the Premier League" and that "last season is still in my head because of the incredible atmosphere".

• He added: "Newcastle and Brighton - we have paid a big, big price [with injuries]. Maybe I speak for myself, but maybe we weren't ready to compete in three or four competitions. We suffered a lot of injuries, and Newcastle did as well. [Newcastle] can fight for the Champions League. Their level is higher than the position they are in at the minute."

Follow all Friday's Premier League news conferences

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton midfielder Jack Hinshelwood spoke to BBC Radio Sussex after winning the club's young player of the season award: "I'm very grateful for everyone who voted for this award. I can't thank the fans, players and especially the gaffer enough for receiving this award.

"From the age of eight it's definitely something that would have been in the back of my mind as a dream, it's not something I expected to achieve. I'm so grateful to everyone who's helped me to get to this point.

"Opportunities don't get given out that often so you have to take them by the scruff of the neck and make the most out of it. I'm so lucky because in this team there's so many young players who could have won this award and I just feel very lucky and grateful to have received it.

"I'm working my socks off every day to get back [from injury] and pre-season can't come quick enough. I'm counting down the days until it comes and I can't wait to pull on that shirt and play again."

Arsenal are looking at Brighton's English goalkeeper Jason Steele as they look for a replacement for 25-year-old England international Aaron Ramsdale, who is expected to leave the Gunners. (Standard), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton midfielder Billy Gilmour spoke to BBC Radio Sussex at the club's player of the year awards about his second season on the south coast: "We've had a really good season. We've had a lot of injuries which has played a big part, people have had to step up and be counted.

"Europe was an amazing adventure and we want to do that again. There's so many positives from this season

"The fans have been everywhere, it's a season they're probably going to remember for life. We want to return the favour by winning games, three games left and we want to finish strong for them.

"I've enjoyed this season a lot, I've played with more confidence. I've learnt a lot about myself, so for me it's been a real joy to put on a Brighton shirt every week and know I'm in the starting eleven to give my best.

"We know if we win these three games it could be a totally different end to the season."

On the Euros in the summer, Gilmour added: "I'm really excited, It's going to be a special moment out in Germany. To say you've played in the opening game against Germany would be a very special thing."

Image source, Getty Images

Pascal Gross spoke to BBC Radio Sussex after being named as Brighton's player of the year: "It's massive for me because it's all about the fans, people who come to the stadium. I think we have a special connection and I'm proud walking out to stadiums in Europe and seeing our sections full with fans who are proud. That gives me satisfaction.

"If you're an athlete and you keep pushing and trying your best every day, it means a lot when your fellow professionals award you. That means a lot to me, it's something really special.

"I have a beautiful family and I can do what I love, playing football. I can play it at the highest level at the moment and I'm enjoying it every day when I come to training.

"With our coach, we're very lucky to have him, everyone knows that. I'm learning every day and I want to learn. I think you need to be open minded, It doesn't matter how young or old you are."

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It was strange to see so many empty seats dotted around Amex Stadium for the victory over Aston Villa last Sunday - but it was a reminder nothing stands still in football.

If someone had asked Brighton fans a decade ago if they would still be up for a home game against a Champions League challenger in a season where they have experienced European football for the first time, despite a run of poor form, I suspect they would all have said yes.

But the reality is different.

Brighton fans recognise the giant strides that have been made under the stewardship of owner Tony Bloom. But that does not mean they judge everything through the prism of the club nearly going bust.

For some fans, the current era is all the know. They expect the team to be competitive in the top flight.

The tricky bit for Bloom and chief executive Paul Barber is managing the expectations.

Ask any great sportsman and they will tell you getting to the top (or top six in this case) is exceptionally difficult.

Staying there is even harder.

Here are the key facts and figures before Saturday's game between Newcastle and Brighton in the Premier League.

• Having failed to either win or score in their first four Premier League home games against Brighton, Newcastle have won 2-1 and 4-1 in their last two matches against the Seagulls at St James’ Park.

• Brighton are looking to complete the league double over Newcastle for the third time - previously doing so in 2020-21 and 1978-79.

• Newcastle have scored in all 18 of their Premier League home games so far this season. They most recently scored in 100% of their home league games in a single campaign in 1982-83 and have not done so in the top-flight since 1958-59.

• Since beating Sheffield United 5-0 in February, Brighton have scored just five goals in their past 10 Premier League games. It is their lowest return in a 10-game spell since netting four times in 10 games between February and April 2022.

• Anthony Gordon has been involved in more home goals than any other Newcastle player in the Premier League this season (16 – nine goals, seven assists). It is the most by a player at St James’ Park in a single top-flight campaign since Alan Shearer in 2003-04 (18 – 15 goals, three assists).

• Joao Pedro has scored nine league goals this season - he could be the fourth different player to net double figures in a single Premier League campaign for Brighton after Glenn Murray (twice), Neal Maupay and Alexis Mac Allister.

Brighton defender Adam Webster says "it has been a difficult season" for everyone at the club because of the amount of injuries to key players.

Albion's hopes of a second successive season in Europe were ended after developing a lengthy injury list since the turn of the year and the poor results that followed.

The likes of Solly March, Kaoru Mitoma, Pervis Estupinan, Evan Ferguson and Jack Hinshelwood have all been long-term absentees and will not return before the end of the season.

"It has been a difficult," Webster told BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited Podcast. "First-half of the season was really good, but then since January not so good.

"We have had a lot of injuries and some bad results.

"It has been difficult for everyone but personally for me it has been tough. I have not had any rhythm of playing games and when you come in and out it is difficult to find your feet."

Webster has made 12 appearances for the club this season, which is a stark contrast to 27 in the last campaign.

"I have not hit the heights that I know I am capable of so that has been frustrating," added Webster. "Hopefully now I can push on and look forward to next season.

"We have had a lot of big players missing and that does not help any team. But it has given opportunities to those who would not usually play, so in the long run that will make us better."

Listen to the Albion Unlimited Podcast on BBC Sounds

Scott McCarthy
Fan writer

I bought a new house a couple of months ago, something of a renovation project. Come Sunday morning and I was undecided over whether to go to Amex Stadium on account of no wins in six, only one goal scored by a Brighton player since the start of March and Roberto de Zerbi saying the players were lacking motivation.

“If you don’t go to football, you can start steaming wallpaper” my partner said to me. It was a surprisingly tough decision. But Brighton v Villa it was. I was clearly not the only Albion fan weighing up whether DIY was a preferable option, judging by the thousands of empty seats.

The announcement towards the game of an attendance of 31,596 – just 300 short of capacity - was met with collective laughter from around a stadium a little over three-quarters full.

Those who opted not to attend missed an actual Albion goal and an actual Albion win. Most importantly, they did not feel the change in mood brought about by the three points on the terraces, the dugout and the pitch.

Brighton now have some impetus going into the final three matches of a campaign which had threatened to peter out into nothingness while uncertainty surrounded the future of De Zerbi.

Three more good performances will ensure the Albion head into the summer in a much better place, hopefully De Zerbi committed to leading the club in 2024-25.

It is amazing how one result can prove so reinvigorating. Steaming the spare room will have to wait now Brighton have their mojo back.

Scott can be found at We Are Brighton, external

We asked for your views on Sunday's match between Brighton and Aston Villa

Here are some of your answers:

Brighton fans

Jane: Much better than last week. Played faster and more positively. It is still a struggle to shoot [but] at last, a goal and a win!

Harry: Roberto de Zerbi may have a back-up game plan at last. We just need to build on this now and try to secure a top-half finish.

Bob: What a difference! We played with a lot of spirit and hopefully rekindled the art of winning. Villa looked tired after their midweek match and we certainly know that feeling after our exploits in Europe. Looking forward to our trip to the Magpies and hope the Seagulls will nick their chips.

Ed: A relief after a very lean patch, but we deserved the win, particularly with the offside knee decision. Too much negative speculation by some recently after a great first half of the season. We have an excellent squad, manager and amazing ownership. That hasn’t changed. We move forward.

Aston Villa fans

David: With a tired and threadbare midfield we're struggling, especially when teams overload the middle. Unai [Emery] needs to take a chance on [Tim] Iroegbunam. We're limping over the line but the players will regret anything they don't give over the next 14 days.

Steve: A very jaded performance. We looked second best to a team that we had loved playing over the last few seasons. Can't wait to have a squad able to cope with Europe and the Premier League. Thanks to Liverpool the European dream still shines, bur this was a day of low energy.

Ian: Very poor performance for a team competing for a Champions League place. The number of shots and corners could be counted on one hand. Need a bigger squad as players look jaded and sloppy on the ball.

Don: We are absolutely exhausted. I don't think we will get another point this season but thank you Unai for the best season in heaven knows how long.

Image source, Reuters

Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha and QPR goalkeeper Asmir Begovic reflected on Brighton's 1-0 win against Aston Villa on Sunday's episode of the BBC's Football Daily podcast.

Onuoha said: "Brighton were deserving winners of this game. A few people probably overlooked them because of how bad they've been in recent weeks, but they were playing at home and they're a determined side.

"I'm not somebody that says a team could be looking ahead to a different game, but this performance from Villa seemed like one of a team that played on the Thursday and know they've got another game coming up on Thursday as well.

"Given how good they've been throughout this season, to have two shots on goal throughout the game - that's not the Villa we know. It's hugely disappointing from the Villa standpoint, but for Brighton, this was needed."

Begovic added: "It's been a magnificent season [for Villa] and they've got a massive second leg [against Olympiakos in their Europa Conference League semi-final]. They'll feel they can go to Athens and turn this thing around. Maybe Sunday's defeat will be good motivation for them to bounce back."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Mark Chapman introduces highlights and analysis from Sunday's three Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer here.

And you can watch highlights of Friday and Saturday's games on Match of the Day here.

Listen back to Sunday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full:

• Brighton v Aston Villa

• Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi to BBC MOTD: "Today we played a good game against a great team in the Premier League.

"I am a big fan of Villa because they play they are playing very well they are making special in these last two years when Emery started to work with them.

"We knew before the game the level of difficulty of the game but anyway we deserved to win. The truth is Villa today were maybe tired because they played Thursday. They have a lot of injuries as well like Brighton.

"We start to think about the next game at Newcastle."

On an improved performance to last weekend's defeat at Bournemouth: "Today we played with a good first XI and we had the time to work during the week.

"Two different games. Today we played with a good first XI and we had the time to work during the week."

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton captain Lewis Dunk, speaking to Sky Sports: "I've missed this feeling, it's been a long time.

"We've not been good enough but it's nice to get back to winning ways.

"We've have a different week this week, away from the training ground and doing a lot of team building. And we've got the three points thankfully.

"We were all disappointed after the Bournemouth game. We've done something different this week.

"We had a day away from the training ground doing different activities and getting that spirit back. It's tough when you're losing, it's not easy. "

Charlotte Coates
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

In the early stages of the season, no one would have thought Roberto De Zerbi's Brighton side would look bereft of ideas in front of goal.

That is exactly what is happening at the Amex Stadium despite having just recorded their first win in six matches.

The Seagulls look a shadow of the side who were terrorising Premier League teams last season.

Injuries to key players are partly to blame as are the added games from the Europa League.

Simon Adingra is a constant threat on the left flank, as is Joao Pedro when leading the line but there is a lack of end product from the Seagulls.

However, football is a game of confidence and nothing breeds that like picking up victories.

• Joao Pedro’s goal was his 20th of the season, making him the first player to score 20+ goals in a single season for Brighton across all competitions since Glenn Murray in 2016-17 (23).

• Brighton have beaten Aston Villa at home in the Premier League for the very first time, and for the first time at home across all competitions since December 1980, ending an eight-match winless run at home against the Villans (D4 L4) since a 1-0 win at the Goldstone Ground under Alan Mullery.

• Aston Villa had just two shots against Brighton, their fewest in a Premier League match since May 2016 vs Newcastle United (also 2). Only against Manchester United in August 2005 (1) have they had fewer on record in the competition (from 2003-04).

• Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi picked up his fifth booking of the season, with no manager in the Premier League receiving more cards this season than him (Mikel Arteta also with 5). Overall, De Zerbi has now picked up 11 cards in the league during his time at Brighton, with the Italian also receiving the most cards last season in the Premier League (6 – 4 yellow, 2 red).

• Pedro has now scored 9 Premier League goals for Brighton this season, with only Glenn Murray (13 in 2018-19, 12 in 2017-18), Alexis Mac Allister (10 in 2022-23) and Neal Maupay (10 in 2019-20) scoring more for the Seagulls in a single Premier League season.

Joao Pedro struck a late winner as Brighton put a dent in Aston Villa's Champions League hopes at the Amex Stadium.

The Brazilian headed home a rebound in the 87th minute after his penalty was saved by Robin Olsen.

Pascal Gross had an earlier effort for the hosts ruled out for offside by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR), while Villa captain John McGinn was also judged to be inches ahead of the Brighton defence before scoring at the other end.

Unai Emery's fourth-placed side remain seven points clear of Tottenham, who have two games in hand and visit Liverpool on Sunday.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Brighton fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Aston Villa fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

There are three Premier League matches today, and we will keep you updated on all the action.

Follow live text coverage over here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's matches, he takes on Kings of Leon drummer Nathan Followill.

Sutton's prediction: 1-3

Aston Villa have got fourth place and Champions League football in their grasp but they still have work to do to get over the line.

Unai Emery's side played the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final with Olympiakos on Thursday, so you think if Brighton could find a bit of energy, they might cause them some problems.

I don't see that happening, though. The Seagulls are missing their spark - for a long time now they not been the same team they were last season - and, as I've said before, the uncertainty over Roberto de Zerbi's future has hardly helped.

Nathan's prediction: 0-2

Read all of the predictions here

Here are the key facts and figures before Sunday's game between Brighton and Aston Villa in the Premier League.

• Brighton have lost their past five Premier League matches against Aston Villa by an aggregate score of 14-3. The Seagulls last suffered six defeats in a row against a side between 2019 and 2022 against Manchester United.

• Having won their past five against Brighton, Aston Villa are looking to register six consecutive Premier League wins against an opponent for the first time since between 2005 and 2010 against neighbours Birmingham City.

• Since Brighton began their maiden European campaign in this season's Europa League in September, they have won just seven of 29 Premier League matches (D11 L11). They would be 15th in a Premier League table in this time (since 21 September); they had started this season with four wins in their opening five league matches (L1) before their first Europa League match.

• Aston Villa have led by two or more goals in each of their past four Premier League games but have only gone on to win two of them - drawing 3-3 with Brentford and 2-2 with Chelsea last time out (2-0 v Arsenal and 3-1 v Bournemouth in the others).

• Having scored in a joint league-high 39 different Premier League games in 2023, Brighton have so far failed to find the net in more games than any other side in 2024 (eight).

• Ollie Watkins has scored six goals in his past four Premier League appearances against Brighton and scored a hat-trick in Villa's 6-1 win earlier this season. It is the most goals he has netted against an opponent in the competition.