Unai Emery's Aston Villa are back in Premier League action on Wednesday night.placeholder image
Unai Emery's Aston Villa are back in Premier League action on Wednesday night. | Getty Images
Two former Aston Villa stars have made their predictions for Wednesday’s midweek clash
Aston Villa will look to get back to winning ways as the Villans host Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
Albion have won just one league match in 12 and have fallen to 14th in the table, with head coach Fabian Hurzeler coming under increasing pressure at the Amex. The Villans drew 1-1 at Bournemouth on Saturday and were defeated by Brentford last time out at Villa Park, with just one win in five meaning that Unai Emery’s side have seen their outside title chances become slimmer and will hope for a swift return to form to ensure the chasing pack do not catch up to them in third place.
Two former Aston Villa stars, both of whom represented the West Midlands outfit earlier in the Premier League era, have both given their verdicts on Wednesday night’s match at Villa Park as the home side seek all three points.
Chris Sutton predicts Aston Villa midweek result
Speaking as part of his weekly prediction series for BBC Sport, former Aston Villa, Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers striker Chris Sutton gave his verdict on what the result will be at Villa Park and named the player who he feels will make the difference.
Predicting Aston Villa to win 3-1, Sutton wrote: “Brighton have only won one of their past 12 league games so the worry for them has to be that they will get sucked into the relegation scrap. It was a 4-3 home defeat by Aston Villa in December that was the start of this poor run for Fabian Hurzeler's side, and I don't see it ending at Villa Park. I'm surprised that the Seagulls are struggling. I looked at their bench against Crystal Palace at the weekend and thought 'blimey, they've got a good squad’, but they are underperforming and the fans seem really split on Hurzeler, and have been for a while.
“Villa were lucky to get a point against Bournemouth at the weekend and I couldn't believe how Lucas Digne just let Rayan run past him for the Cherries equaliser. He seemed to give up and it was astonishingly bad defending. Unai Emery's side have lost their past two home league games, against Everton and Brentford, which worries me.
“Will it be a hat-trick of home defeats, or will they come good again? I've got to back my old team, so I am going with my heart here and saying Morgan Rogers will make the difference.”
Sutton was predicting the midweek Premier League results alongside Ryder Cup star and Arsenal fan Ian Poulter, who predicted a 0-0 draw and added that he feels “Villa might stumble again”. AI predicted a 2-1 win for Emery’s side.
Paul Merson gives Villa vs Brighton verdict
Former Villa and Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has also made his predictions for Wednesday night’s Premier League encounter at Villa Park.
Predicting a 2-0 home win, he told Sportskeeda: “I can't see anything but an Aston Villa win. I don't like going against Brighton, but they are not playing well at all! I'm sure they will be disappointed after that loss to Crystal Palace.
“Villa also need a win. After that impressive win away at Newcastle, Unai Emery's team have lost to Brentford at home and let their lead slip to draw at Bournemouth last time out. They are starting to fall behind Arsenal and Manchester City now. If Aston Villa don't win this game, they will have to fight it out to be in the top five. Imagine being considered title contenders to struggling to finish in the top five, that would be a big disappointment for Villa.
“Morgan Rogers will definitely be on the England plane for the World Cup. Absolutely no question about it! Even though England have a lot of good no.10s, there is a question mark on everyone except Rogers. He's guaranteed a place even when [Cole] Palmer and Phil Foden are not, that's how good he's been.
“Brighton need to get going soon. But I expect another loss for them and that would be just one win in the last 13 league games.”
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