Brighton boss Fabian Hurzelerplaceholder image
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler | Getty Images
Aston Villa are back in Premier League action on Wednesday night against Brighton and Hove Albion
Aston Villa are nine points behind Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. They drew 1-1 away at AFC Bournemouth in their last outing. Attacker Morgan Rogers got their goal against the Cherries in Dorset.
The Midlands outfit are back in action on Wednesday as they look to return to winning ways. They face Brighton and Hove Albion at Villa Park. Unai Emery’s side are winless in their last two league outings.
Brighton suffer injury boost ahead of Aston Villa clash
Brighton will have key defender Jan Paul van Hecke back in their squad against Aston Villa. He has been injured recently but is now back available which is a boost. The centre-back has been on the books of the Seagulls since joining them in 2020.
Fabian Hurzeler has shared this update regarding his condition: “Jan Paul van Hecke will be back in the squad. Mats Wieffer is close but won’t be in the squad. Other than that we have no injury concerns.”
Hurzeler also delivered his verdict on Aston Villa: “They are a team with a clear style of play. They have one of the best managers in the world. They have good individual quality. Good tactical patterns. It’s always difficult to go to their stadium to win games. They’re a top team, but I think we proved in the past that we enjoy playing against top teams and enjoy these kind of challenges. That's what we want to do tomorrow: to enjoy it, to defend as a team and show great togetherness.”
Van Hecke, 25, is a Holland international with eight caps to his name. Prior to his switch to Brighton, he rose up through the academy at NAC Breda in his native country. He has made 116 appearances for the Seagulls in all competitions to date, 25 of which have come this season, and he has scored four goals from the back.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler under pressure
Brighton are struggling for results at the moment and could be dragged into trouble at the bottom if they aren’t careful. They lost 1-0 at home to rivals Crystal Palace in their last outing. Pressure is starting to grow on boss Hurzeler and if they are beaten again by Aston Villa, the heat will be further turned up.
The ex-FC St Pauli boss has had this to say about his future in Sussex: “I don't really feel pressure from outside. The most pressure I feel is the pressure I put on myself. This is the biggest pressure because I always want the best for the club. I always want the best for the players.
“I always try to come into this training ground and try to be the best version of myself. I try to make the team better, try to improve the staff, try to have good relationships with supporters. I'm obsessed with this sport. I'm obsessed with football. I'm obsessed with thinking about how can I help my team, how I can help my players. So it's a 24-hour job.”
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