Aston Villa have won six games in a row
Aston Villa have won six games in a row (Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
Aston Villa produced a statement result on the south coast on Wednesday night, defeating Brighton 3-0 at the Amex Stadium.
The win propels Villa into the top seven ahead of their crucial clash with fellow Champions League hopefuls Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
Brighton, who started the night two points behind Villa, fell behind in the 51st minute when Marcus Rashford opened the scoring.
Substitutes Marco Asensio and Donyell Malen then sealed the result with late goals in the second half, ensuring a convincing win for Unai Emery’s side.
Here are the talking points from Villa’s win…
Villa on record winning run under Emery
The result was the most important thing on Wednesday, with Ezri Konsa admitting it was indeed a “must-win” game.
But there were several added positives: an improved goal difference, a fourth successive clean sheet, and first league goals for Rashford and Malen since joining the club.
By extending their winning streak to six matches in all competitions, Villa are now enjoying their best run under Emery.
As Emery sat down for his press conference, he took a swig from the Monster can placed in front of him. “Energy for Saturday,” quipped Damian Vidagany.
Indeed, another five games in the next 17 days await Villa - but they’ve certainly got momentum.
"We knew this was an important game for us, it was must win,” defender Konsa told Sky Sports. “We came to win and that's what we did. The Champions League is the main goal. We'll focus on Saturday, another big one for us.
"I thought defensively we were excellent. All 11 of us stuck together. I didn't feel threatened at all. We managed to get them on the counter-attack a few times and we got a few goals.
"It was the desire from everyone. We've kept a few clean sheets in a row. In the last few games we've shown we can do it.”
Rashford a genuine competitor for Watkins
After scoring a brace against Preston North End in the FA Cup quarter-finals at the weekend, Emery opted to keep Rashford in the striker role over Ollie Watkins.
It was interesting to hear Emery discuss how Rashford is genuine competition for Watkins in attack, despite many assuming the Manchester United loanee would primarily play off the left, linking up with Watkins instead.
While Emery noted that using Watkins as a No. 9 would depend on the opponent, his place in the starting lineup is clearly not guaranteed.
After Rashford netted his third goal in two games, Emery was asked in his post-match press conference about the possibility of signing him permanently this summer.
“It is not the time to speak about it now because I told before when someone was asking me the same, it’s not the same decision for different reasons; if we are in the Champions League, the Europa League, the Conference League or not,” he explained.
“Of course, he’s performing well. He’s here because he wanted to come here with us, to try to feel confidence, comfortable and play football. And as well, to try and help us.
“We signed him because we were thinking about how much he can help us, but at the beginning in this moment we have competitions to play and we can set as our objective for him and for us.
“At the end of the season, hopefully we can get the best for him and we can get the best for us. Doing the way, we are really happy if he’s feeling comfortable, if he’s feeling here getting his level he had and again progressively achieving it. I am happy for him and for the team because we are getting the same objective together."
Donyell Malen opened his account for Aston Villa against Brighton (Image: Getty Images)
Asensio and Malen impacts show strength in depth
The other two attackers Villa signed in the winter window, Asensio and Malen, also earned praise from Emery for their contributions in a crucial win.
Asensio, who guided the ball into the far corner in the 78th minute, has now scored eight goals in his last seven appearances for Villa across all competitions.
In fact, since making his debut, he has scored more goals in all competitions than any other Premier League player.
Malen, on the other hand, has struggled to adapt - mainly due to limited opportunities to impress.
“With Malen, only a little bit (of progression) because he’s playing less minutes than I wanted,” Emery admitted.
“That’s because I want to play the competitive squad we have now. But today he scored, which is really fantastic for him and the team.
“The adaptation was going quick with Marco Asensio because the position he’s playing with us is really his position. Sometimes, he was not playing the 10 number. But with us, it’s easy for him.”
After the win, Amadou Onana encouraged Malen to move closer to the jubilant travelling fans at the Amex before Morgan Rogers playfully pushed him to the front.
The Dutchman soaked in the adulation as supporters chanted, “Malen, Malen, Malen.”
Despite not playing as often as he’d like, Malen has integrated well into the dressing room. The same can be said for the club’s other four winter signings - Rashford, Asensio, Axel Disasi, and Andres Garcia.
It speaks volumes of the environment Emery and the senior members of his squad have created at Bodymoor Heath that a busy January window has helped, rather than hindered the club's progress.
Claret & Blue verdict
What did you make of Villa's performance? Tell us here
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Aston Villa 150th Anniversary
Get your hands on AVFC 150 years merchandise
Aston Villa is marking its 150th anniversary with the launch of a new merch collection including shirts, hoodies, books, mugs and scarves.
Top items include the Anniversary Shirt, Anniversary Hoodie and Anniversary Polo Shirt, plus the 150 Years picture books Volume One and Volume Two.