Fabian Hurzeler felt that Brighton was “dominant” before Aston Villa scored their opening goal in a 3-0 defeat for the seagulls on Wednesday.
Second half goals from Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Donyell Malen sent Brighton to an expensive defeat in the race for Champions League football in the Amex Stadium.
Brighton had more shots (11 to eight) and shots in the area (eight to seven) than villa, while the superior expected goals of the visitors (XG) from 1.2 to 1.01 was certainly helped by the late goals for Asensio and Malen.
But they were undone in the 51st minute by a long Morgan Rogers point forward where Rashford ended up on Racet and along Bert Verbruggen.
It was that moment that Hurzeler mainly rested, told Sky Sports: “After the goal for them, the game changed.
“They defended in a low block and it was pretty good. We couldn't create any more opportunities. The first goal changed the game.
“At that time it was frustrating to admit a goal so easy. We were dominant. We needed a little time.”
“We have to analyze the game and be honest with each other.” Fabian's #bhaavl reaction. pic.twitter.com/y1rgbhzh9d
– Brighton & Hove Albion (@officialbhafc) 2 April 2025
Brighton had his own chances in what was a close game, despite what the Scoreline suggests, where Simon Adingra saw a goal excluded after Kaoru Mitoma was assessed in the penalty area.
She slid to eighth in the table as a result of the defeat, where Villa jumped their opponents in seventh place.
Hurzeler added: “We scored, but it was not allowed. It was a mix of everything, but we have to do better.
“These are the things that we can influence on the field. How we are placed out of the corner and high pressure. We have to do this well, otherwise you don't deserve to win.
“I would say we were just not exactly. I don't think the maturity would have made the difference today.
'Do the little things well. To do the things we have to win on the field. We must maximize this.
“We have to work on this and we have to take the next chance on Saturday.”
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