Fabian Hurzeler wants Brighton to be more relentless if they can lead European football against Aston Villa in the Premier League.
Brighton is currently seventh in the table, but if they win and other results on Wednesday, they can go to the top four.
They are unbeaten in their last five games in the top flight, although they come in this game after they were beaten by Nottingham Forest on Saturday from the quarter -finals of FA Cup on Saturday.
Brighton struggled to create openings against forest in their 0-0 draw over 120 minutes, something that Hurzeler wants to improve against Villa.
“It is a duel where we know it will be a big fight,” he said. “We know what Villa looks like – a very mature team, very experienced team. They want to enter Europe [through the Premier League].
“We have to play very adults. We have to play with a great intensity. We can't play softly as we have played against Nottingham Forest in some times.
“We must be more relentless, and that is what we have to improve compared to the game. Then I know for sure that we have a big chance tomorrow.”
Tomorrow at home! @Dannylast pic.twitter.com/avvv06dzcm
– Brighton & Hove Albion (@officialbhafc) April 1, 2025
In the meantime, Villa is two points and two places under Brighton and their opponents would jump a victory on Wednesday.
They have won their last five games in all games, including a 3-0 win over Preston North End in the FA Cup on Sunday to book a place in the semi-final.
With a quarterfinals from Champions League also on the Horizon, Unai Emery is enthusiastic about the challenge The end of the season.
“We are enthusiastic and demand ourselves to be focused in three games for the past two months,” said Unai Emery.
“We get better in the last games. [Wednesday] Is another very good test for how we can be more consistent, playing at the level that we want to reach.
“There are many teams fighting for these positions. We play a semi-final in the FA Cup, and in the Champions League, a quarter-final-it is amazing how we meet the last part of the season.”
Players to watch
Brighton – Joao Pedro
Joao Pedro has more target involvement against Aston Villa (four – one goal, three assists) than any other opponent in the Premier League.
The Brazilian scored in the last two Home League matches (both penalties); The only players who score in 3+ consecutive home performances in the Premier League for the Seagulls are Glenn Murray (twice in 2018), Pascal Gross (Aug 2018), Neal Mauupay (October 2019) and Danny Welbeck (Oct 2024).
Aston Villa – Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins has scored 13 Premier League goals this season, of which 11 equalize (six) or Aston Villa lead the lead in a competition (five).
Only Mohamed Salah (14), Erling Haaland (14) and Alexander Isak (12) have more leveling and managerial goals combined in the competition in 2024-25.
Md-1 pic.twitter.com/lpyaf0osjh
– Aston Villa (@AVFCofficial) April 1, 2025
Match forecast: Brighton Win
Brighton has only won one of their five Premier League home matches against Aston Villa (D2 L2), although it came in this exact match last season (1-0 in May).
The seagulls are in good shape at home. They each won of their last three Premier League matches at the Amex Stadium and want to win four home games in a row for the first time in the top flight.
After winning five consecutive Premier League matches against Brighton between November 2021 and September 2023, Villa is now Winloos in their last two against them (D1 L1).
Villa has won two of their last three league matches (L1), just as much as their previous nine in advance (W2 D5 L2). The Villans want to win back-to-back games in the Premier League for the first time since winning their first two of such trips of this season.
This game looks like it will also promise goal mouth. Villa and Brighton have scored both and admitted in 20 of their 29 Premier League matches this season, with only Fulham's competitions that both teams score more often in the division this campaign (21).
Opta wins probability
Brighton – 45.4%
Drawing – 24.6%
Aston Villa – 30%
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