Aston Villa vs Brighton Predictions

• Villa have eight wins in 13 home league games
• Brighton have lost half of their away league games
• Albion are on a four-game winless run (D2, L2)

Out of form pair meet at Villa Park

Aston Villa entertain Brighton at Villa Park on Wednesday in a meeting between two slides who are going through rough patches.

The Villans’ title challenge is probably over now as they have slipped nine points behind pacesetters Arsenal after a run of just one win in their last five Premier League games, while Brighton are on a four-game winless streak since their FA Cup success over Manchester United and they’ve managed just one victory in their last 12 league outings.

Albion are in danger of being dragged into the relegation battle as they are eight points clear of West Ham in 18th. Villa need to rediscover some form if they are to keep hold of a top four spot, with fifth placed Chelsea just four points behind them – although a top five finish is likely to be enough for Champions League qualification this season.

Villa have a chance to respond

Both of these teams may be in poor form but Brighton’s funk has lasted far longer, with their run of just one win in 12 games stretching back to November.

Villa showed some resolve to draw at Bournemouth last time out in a game where they probably didn’t deserve to take any points, but at home their performances have been solid even if results have slipped.

Unai Emery’s side have lost back-to-back league games at Villa Park to Everton and Brentford, but on the balance of play they were unfortunate on both occasions and they may be able tp make their home advantage count against Brighton.

The Seagulls have lost six of their 12 road games in the Premier League and three of those have come in their last five trips.

Villa have a strong record against Brighton with seven wins and just one defeat in their last nine meetings, and Wednesday’s game seems like a good chance for Emery’s side to steady the ship with three points as they look to stay ahead of the chasing pack in the battle for a top four spot.

Both teams can strike at Villa Park

Villa prevailed in a seven-goal thriller in the reverse fixture earlier this season as they fought back from 2-0 down to win 4-3 in early December on the south coast.

A repeat on Wednesday seems unlikely as Brighton have scored just three goals across their last four league games and Villa have only fared slightly better with four goals scored.

Goals at both ends could be on the agenda, however, as both teams have scored in five consecutive Brighton away games and Villa have gone six without keeping a clean sheet at home. Villa can win but they may have to dig deep to get all three points and a hard-fought 2-1 win for the hosts seems a reasonable correct score prediction.

Villa may be out of sorts but individually Morgan Rogers is still putting in some strong performances. Rogers scored in the draw with Bournemouth at the weekend and now has two goals and one assist in his last four games, he looks a candidate for an anytime effort at Villa Park.