Brighton & Hove Albion

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Brighton CEO Paul Barber has said the club will wait and see if a loan move away for Evan Ferguson is on the cards this month, adding that it is "a decision for the technical staff".

The forward has started just two Premier League matches this season and has been recently linked with a move to fellow Premier League clubs.

"There's always speculation around good players in a squad that are perhaps not getting as much football as as they would like," Barber told BBC Sport.

"Evan's injured at the moment and therefore has been unlucky not to get the minutes that he deserves. But there will be others in the squad that perhaps feel the same way.

"We'll see how the month pans out. It's a decision for our technical staff and we'll see where we go."

Meanwhile, Barber is hopeful that this month will be a quiet one for Seagulls incomings.

"We did a lot of work during the summer months to replenish our squad, to make sure that we had a depth of of squad that perhaps we lacked a little bit last season through injuries and a range of other circumstances," he added.

"As always, where we can strengthen our squad, we will. Where we can make sure the players in our squad get opportunities to play football, maybe elsewhere in certain situations on loan, we'll look at that as well.

"But I don't expect this January to be anything like the summer months thankfully."

Johnny Cantor
BBC Radio Sussex reporter

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Despite a run of seven games without a win, the focus remains for Brighton to secure European football for only the second time in the club's history. The Seagulls' board, the players and the fans have all had a taste - and are keen for more.

Steady progress has been the strategy but sustained success becomes more difficult in such a competitive environment.

The owner invested heavily to recruit players last summer, so expectations are high, and the club would arguably be better equipped for another European campaign. After all, their first foray on the continent was hampered by injuries to key players at key moments, but the squad has more depth now.

A finish in the bottom half of the table may not be seen as failure but more of a disappointment. The club has traditionally given coaches the time and space to work, but Fabian Hurzeler will be aware he will be judged on results.

Away from the Premier League, the club has reached the FA Cup semi-finals twice in the past seven years and so the quest for silverware is more realistic than ever.

Another good run in the competition is not the top priority, but it provides a huge opportunity to reward the fans and write a new chapter in the club's history.

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game at home against Arsenal (17:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Jack Hinshelwood is "close" to a return and Adam Webster will be available for the visit of the Gunners. Hurzeler is also unsure whether Pervis Estupinan will be ready after recovering from an illness but he is "hopeful" while Evan Ferguson's injury is "not an easy issue".

• Danny Welbeck's return is being assessed "day by day" but there is "no clear schedule" and Ferdi Kadioglu remains sidelined.

• Saturday is "too early" for new signing Diego Gomez - who officially joined on 1 January from MLS side Inter Miami - to make his debut but he "has had two weeks off and is in great shape". Hurzeler added that Gomez brings physicality and he cannot wait to see him on the pitch.

• Hurzeler said it is hard to compare Brighton's recent winless run with a previous similar experience at St. Pauli: "Things happen for different reasons. The experience gives you orientation in how to behave in these situations and how to come back to the results. In the end, there are some patterns you can adjust. Despite the bad results, we have had some really good performances. Always trust the process. We are on the right way."

• He chooses to see the season so far as glass half full rather than half empty: "There are only a few teams in the league who have lost less times than us. I see more the positive things than the negative things. I try and give the trust and belief to the club and the players. The glass will be really full one day."

• What will it take to beat title-chasing Arsenal?: "Push all limits in every phase of the game. Continue to play with courage and intensity. The results have not been good [recently] but the performances are there. We have shown we can beat every team in this league. If we don't play with courage in possession, we have no chance."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to full commentary of Brighton v Arsenal from 17:30 on Saturday on BBC Sounds

We asked you to tell us what Brighton's New Year's resolution should be.

Here are some of your replies:

Steve: To start turning these draws into wins and take their chances in front of goal.

David: We make numerous chances to score in every game but fail too often. Instead of taking one or two touches in the opponent's box, teach our strikers to shoot. If that is not possible, replace them.

Malcom: To buy them football boots so they can take off their ballet shoes. We need to stop the tippy-tappy game and try having a few shots on goal. Let's play with a centre-forward.

Deri: Get Marcus Rashford from Manchester United to team up with Welbeck!

Robin: Never mind getting new players in January, we need a first-class sports psychologist to get rid of the 'frightened to take responsibility' effect that grips Albion players in the penalty area!

Bill: Since Lewis Dunk has returned, our defence has been poor. We haven't won a game, so I think it's time to put the old-timer on the bench.

Daniel: Simple: to be more consistent. If we can become consistent, we will get European football.

Bayern Munich have shortlisted a number of goalkeepers who they could sign this summer, including Brighton's 22-year-old Netherlands international Bart Verbruggen. (Bild - in German, subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

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It has been another entertaining year in the Premier League, so with 2025 just a matter of hours away let's take a look at the clubs that have topped the charts.

Manchester City became history makers in 2024 as they sealed their fourth successive Premier League title in May and their sixth in seven seasons.

Pep Guardiola's possession based football continued to dominate as they maintained the ball for an average of 64.5% per game and had a 90.6% passing accuracy over the year.

Brighton were the closest to matching their accuracy at 87.5% and Ange Postecoglou's similar high-risk football saw Tottenham retain 61.3% possession.

Under Jurgen Klopp and new head coach Arne Slot, Liverpool scored 92 goals in 2024 which is three more than Arsenal and nine greater than City.

The Reds registered 741 shots in total, which is a stark contrast to Leicester City who recorded the least with 170. Albeit that is only since their promotion back to the top-flight in the summer.

Of those shots, 286 of Liverpool's were on target. But it is Thomas Frank's Brentford that have proven to be the most clinical.

The Bees had a conversion rare of 15.3% after scoring 62 goals in the Premier League. Yoane Wissa found the back of the net 17 times, while Bryan Mbuemo registered 12 goals.

From goal scoring to conceding - West Ham turned over the most goals with 79.

They should look to North London for tips on how to tighten up their defence as Arsenal proved to be the most solid across all aspects of their back line.

The Gunners conceded just 25 goals across the course of the year and kept an impressive 18 clean sheets.

Sean Dyche's Everton, renowned for being stubborn to break down, kept 14 clean sheets despite only winning eight of their 36 games.

All stats are supplied by Opta

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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!

Chelsea are eying 20-year-old Brighton forward Evan Ferguson, as they look to provide competition for first-choice striker Nicolas Jackson. (Talksport), external

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

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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler to Sky Sports: "We deserved to make the equaliser and then had more chances to score the winning goal.

"It's a disappointing feeling because we could have got more. We have to invest a lot and I'm sure the match luck will come back.

"In the end, we are here in the present and we have to accept it and learn from it. Every draw should teach us something. We have to keep working and not complain about referee decisions.

On penalty: "You can give it but it's a clear foul on Bart [Verbruggen]. The Premier League has to do something.

"We have to keep pushing our limits to win games in the Premier League. We will try to get our momentum back."

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport journalist

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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.

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

Next up Brighton are at home to title challengers Arsenal on January 4 - a match which could extend their winless run to eight.

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Brighton goalscorer Tariq Lamptey talking to the world feed: "We would have liked to have nicked it in the end but maybe it was a fair result.

On his goal: "It arrived on the edge of the box, it was great from Joao [Pedro] to spot me and it ended up in the back of the net. We have players on the bench who are ready and can come in at any time. When we are down, we have players who can come in and do that.

On the penalty for Villa: "I didn't see it but the boys were saying it wasn't a penalty. We go out to win the game, it's the way we play. It's got to come at some point.

"I've been playing well for a few games now so I just have to keep my rhythm going."

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 Brighton'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

Brighton are planning to recall 23-year-old goalkeeper Carl Rushworth from his loan spell at Hull City, amid Premier League interest in the Englishman. (Football Insider), external

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

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We asked for your thoughts after Friday's Premier League game between Brighton and Brentford.

Here are some of your comments:

Ian: Another statistical triumph but only one point gained. We need to be more dynamic rather than trying to work a perfect goal. We end up toothless in the box in terms of striking at the opponent's goal and rarely take a chance from long range.

Washy: Frustrating! We generally played OK, but seemed to slow our play down when we got to the edge of their box, allowing them to get organised and close down the space. Julio Enciso missed a few, but at least he had a go. Good to see Solly March back.

Bill: Since Danny Welbeck has been injured, the forwards couldn't hit the goal if they were twice the size!

Sarah: We headed to Amex Stadium quietly confident we would end our bad run. The first half looked promising, especially when they lost their goalkeeper too; we had most of the possession and were passing well, then it all fell apart. Again and again, we had the ball, in the box but missed opportunities to shoot, preferring to pass out to the right. I have no idea why, unless lack of confidence to score. On the final whistle, their goalie celebrated the 0-0 scoreline - Brighton fans were not so happy!

Brentford fans

George: While few neutrals will be clamouring to watch the highlight-reel of a 0-0 draw compared to our usual home game fireworks, this performance was exactly what our fans needed. We were resolute and focussed defensively against an away team that, quite frankly, is a more successful version of ourselves in terms of its financial and managerial mindset.

Mitch: Absolute heroes this evening. Every player gave every piece of energy in their bodies. Could have nicked it, but happy with a point.

David: What a fantastic match. So frustrating to not score on any of the brilliant counter-attacks, injuries worrying as always, but some standout performances with Mikkel Damsgaard man of the match.

Matt: Accomplished performances from the back-up players but the fact we have a starting XI in the physio room is by far our biggest concern. Another point on the board but with our run of fixtures there won't be too many more in the next few weeks.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport journalist at the Amex Stadium

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It was all set up for a fairy-tale moment.

Solly March, back on the pitch for the first time in 14 months after a serious knee injury, picked up the ball on the edge of the penalty area and struck goalwards for what could have been a 94th-minute winner.

But, sadly for Brighton fans, the ball flew over the top as their side had to settle for a 0-0 draw with a Brentford team that picked up only their second away point of the season.

However, March's return was a bright spot on a cold and misty December Friday night at the Amex. He had not played since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in a 2-1 loss at Manchester City in October 2023, but received a great reception when his name was announced, again when he started warming up and a standing ovation when he came on as a late substitute.

"It has been a tough 14 months, a long road and there's still a way to go to get my match fitness where it needs to be," said March. "It's different in training, one or two runs and I was blowing. The more minutes I get, the better I will get and hopefully I'll get back to where I was.

"It has been tough. It's my third serious injury now. Every time you do it then it will take longer but I've had great support behind me."

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton winger Solly March spoke to Amazon Prime after returning to action against Brentford after over a year out with injury: "It has been a long time coming. It has been a tough 14 months or so, a long road and there's still a way to go to get my match fitness where it needs to be.

"It's different in training, one or two runs and I was blowing. The more minutes I get the better I will get and hopefully I'll get back to where I was."

On almost marking his return with a goal: "A bit too much time and a bit too much thinking. I just changed my mind a few times too many. I should have just gone with first instinct across goal but if I get another one in a few weeks hopefully I'll take it."

On how tough the recovery process has been: "It has been tough. It's my third serious injury now. Every time you do it then it will take longer but I've had great support behind me. I want to be playing every week and scoring goals."

On start under new manager: "It has been good, lots of positives. The league is tight, we've gone five or six without a win now but one or two wins and your back up towards fifth or sixth place again."