Aston Villa moved above Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League with a comfortable 3-0 victory over the Seagulls at the Amex Stadium.
Despite the first half ending goalless, there was plenty of action, as both sides had valid penalty appeals turned away, when Kaoru Mitoma was brought down by Matty Cash, and Jacob Ramsey appeared to be fouled by Jack Hinshelwood.
Both appeals were waved away by the referee and VAR, and the hosts had a further appeal for handball by Ramsey turned away just moments later.
The deadlock was broken early in the second half as Marcus Rashford netted his first Premier League goal for Villa, after the visitors caught Brighton out on the break.
Brighton almost got an instant equaliser, but Simon Adingra's goal was disallowed due to a handball in the build-up to the goal.
Goals from Marco Asensio and Donyell Malen late on added some gloss to the scoreline, as the visitors cruised to success against the Seagulls.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Brighton will feel hard done by to have lost this match by three goals as they played very well in this match, but they were caught twice on the break by a clinical Villa side.
They can count themselves somewhat fortunate to have not conceded a penalty in the first half, and keep all of their players on the pitch, with Hinshelwood already on a yellow card at the time of the penalty appeal.
The damage was done in the second half, when Rashford and Asensio gave Villa a comfortable lead, before Malen then added a third late on.
This win takes the visitors above Brighton in the standings, and with both clubs still pushing for Champions League football next season, it leaves everything to play for in the closing stages of the campaign.
BRIGHTON VS. ASTON VILLA HIGHLIGHTS
51st min: Brighton 0-1 Aston Villa (Marcus Rashford)
© Imago
An excellent Villa goal! Brighton were caught out from their own corner, as Emiliano Martinez feeds the ball to Morgan Rogers, who plays a clever ball through to Rashford, and the Manchester United loanee makes no mistake with the finish!
78th min: Brighton 0-2 Aston Villa (Marco Asensio)
© Iconsport
That has surely sealed the win for Villa! Cash and Rogers combine before he finds Asensio in space, and the Spaniard calmly slots in the second goal of the game!
90th (+10) min: Brighton 0-3 Aston Villa (Donyell Malen)
There were no doubts at this stage, but the visitors have just put the icing on the cake, as Malen has scored the third of the evening! That scoreline flatters them a tad, but Villa have been clinical tonight!
MAN OF THE MATCH - MARCUS RASHFORD
© Iconsport
Rashford is beginning to find form in a Villa shirt, and his opening goal helped steer the momentum in their favour.
He looked lively throughout the evening, and is a big reason why they got the three points tonight.
BRIGHTON VS. ASTON VILLA MATCH STATS
Possession: Brighton 55%-45% Aston Villa
Shots: Brighton 11-8 Aston Villa
Shots on target: Brighton 4-5 Aston Villa
Corners: Brighton 4-0 Aston Villa
Fouls: Brighton 16-11 Aston Villa
BEST STATS
#BHAAVL – 37'
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) April 2, 2025
The referee's call of no penalty to Aston Villa following a challenge by Hinshelwood on Ramsey was checked and confirmed by VAR – with the contact deemed not to reach the threshold for a foul.
PL goals:
— StatMuse FC (@statmusefc) April 2, 2025
88 — Marcus Rashford
87 — Dennis Bergkamp
Rashford has played in 22 fewer matches. pic.twitter.com/ceEpU4Aeij
7 goal contributions in his 6 Aston Villa starts ⚽️
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 2, 2025
Marcus Rashford is a man in-form 🔥 pic.twitter.com/DyB3zc2ZIr
Imagine telling Aston Villa fans a few years ago that they would be:
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 2, 2025
📈 In the Champions League quarter-finals
🏆 On their way to Wembley
⚽ Watching Rashford and Asensio score Premier League goals for them
They're in dream land 🤩 pic.twitter.com/MsMqvtycCF
WHAT NEXT?
Brighton travel to Selhurst Park at the weekend to take on Crystal Palace in the Premier League, hoping to secure the bragging rights over their rivals.
Meanwhile, Villa are back at home this weekend as they entertain high-flying Nottingham Forest at Villa Park on Saturday evening.
Tom Humphrey
