Aston Villa secured a stunning 6-1 win over Brighton on Saturday, with Ollie Watkins leading the charge in a superb performance as he bagged a hat-trick.
A response was expected after our disappointing display in midweek in the Carabao Cup, and the players didn’t disappoint as we were excellent throughout.
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Three goals in the space of 12 first-half minutes put us in a commanding position, and although Brighton enjoyed a threatening spell just after half-time, Villa thoroughly deserved the comprehensive win.
Watkins was the pick of the players as he scored a hat-trick and was a constant problem for the Brighton defence, but a relentless, direct and ruthless Villa side were excellent across the pitch as we temporarily move up to fourth place in the Premier League table.
Aston Villa player ratings vs Brighton:
Emiliano Martinez, 8 – Will be frustrated that we conceded another sloppy goal, but he produced a couple of big saves in the game, with his stop to deny Estupinan early on proving to be huge to how the game eventually played out.
Matty Cash, 8 – A top performance in both phases, as he was excellent defensively for the most part as he kept Mitoma quiet with some aggressive and front-foot defending. Showed great energy to get up and down the right flank to provide width as well.
Ezri Konsa, 8 – Did brilliantly to nullify the threat of Brighton’s attack, as he organised the backline well and intervened in key moments too. Excellent in his distribution too in helping us build out from the back.
Pau Torres, 8 – Classy as always in possession to play out from defence, and he showed good aggression and physicality at times to answer some questions about that side of his game to show his improvement.
Lucas Digne, 7.5 – Positive display from the Frenchman as he added width and an attacking outlet down the left, while he defended well for the most part. Will be disappointed with his clearance in the lead-up to Brighton’s goal as he should have done better to clear the danger.
John McGinn, 8 – Superb from the Villa captain. Added his usual physicality and steeliness in midfield, but paired that with quality on the ball as he played some delightful passes to unlock Brighton’s defence and set up some of our goals.
Boubacar Kamara, 8 – Did a brilliant job of breaking up Brighton’s rhythm and passing in midfield to give us control in that area of the pitch. Calm and composed in possession too as we dictated at times and went more direct to hurt them in transition.
Douglas Luiz, 8.5 – Excellent as always in dictating our play in midfield and giving us control with his passing and defensive qualities. Helped that quick transition to hurt Brighton, and bagged a late goal with a tidy finish to become only the second Villa player to score in five consecutive Premier League home games.
Nicolo Zaniolo, 7.5 – Did well before coming off early in the second half, as his ability to drive forward with the ball coupled with his physical and aggressive work out of possession make him a handful. Still desperate to see him find that decisive touch in the final third though.
Moussa Diaby, 8 – A live-wire as always in the attacking third, as he caused all sorts of problems with his speed and movement. It was his effort that was deflected in for the third before he grabbed an assist, and he’ll be disappointed he didn’t do better in certain situations to make an even bigger impact. Electric regardless, though.
Ollie Watkins, 10 – Worked tirelessly as always to press high up the pitch and force Brighton into mistakes. However, he was ruthless up top in this one, as he was direct and clinical in and around the box with his running and finishing to register his second hat-trick of the season. A superb shift from Villa’s frontman and unsurprisingly the clear POTM.
Substitutes:
Jacob Ramsey, 8 – Boost before kick-off that he passed his fitness test to make the bench. Came on and was a threat before curling in a beauty of a finish to get back on the scoresheet. Huge to have him back and hopefully finding his form now.
Jhon Duran, N/A
Youri Tielemans, N/A