Verdict: Aston Villa win
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster
Searching for some essential Premier League stability, Aston Villa will welcome Brighton to the Midlands on Wednesday night.
Aston Villa
Starting with the hosts, while Aston Villa might have shattered a string of records this season and rightfully received a string of plaudits from across the continent, it is fair to say that Unai Emery’s camp are searching for some much-welcomed Premier League stability. Eventually forced to settle for a 1-1 stalemate away at Bournemouth over the weekend, the one-time Arsenal boss is enduring his most testing spell of the 2025/26 campaign. Getting February underway with a toothless performance at Villa Park as they slumped to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Brentford, Wednesday’s hosts have recorded just a sole win from any of their previous five Premier League appearances. Despite still currently being sat in bronze medal position among England’s elite, Villa know the importance of claiming an essential domestic boost when they return to the Midlands in midweek.
Aston Villa Team News
Both dealing with respective knee injuries, Aston Villa will be unable to call upon the midfield duo of Boubacar Kamara and skipper John McGinn on Wednesday night. Likewise, Belgium international Youri Tielemans is still dealing with an ankle issue and remains a major doubt here.
Left as an unused substitute away at Bournemouth over the weekend, Spanish defender Pau Torres could be handed a full recall in the Midlands. Once again staying put at Villa Park following serious January speculation, Emi Martinez will start between the sticks on Wednesday.
Brighton
As for the visitors, falling to a 1-0 loss at home against bitter rivals Crystal Palace over the weekend, Brighton have certainly failed to find any kind of stability on either side of opening 2026. Sacrificing their spot in the top-half of the Premier League standings and essentially sat in top-flight limbo, Fabian Hurzeler’s side have come under some recent scrutiny. Including a 2-1 defeat away at Fulham on January 24th, Wednesday’s guests have recorded just three points from any of their previous five Premier League appearances. Likewise, on what has become quite the extended rut, the former St. Pauli boss has seen his downbeat squad claim just a single victory from any of their last 12 consecutive top-flight showdowns – a run that stems all the way back to the end of November.
Brighton Team News
Missing out against Crystal Palace over the weekend with a reported hamstring issue, Brighton are once again expected to be without Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke here. Likewise, all still dealing with respective knee issues, the trio of Solly March, Adam Webster and Greek starlet Stefanos Tzimas remains on the sidelines.
Only making a cameo appearance off the bench on Sunday afternoon, veteran striker Danny Wekbeck should be handed a full recall. Recalled from a loan stint with French giants Marseille last week, Matt O’Riley could make a first Premier League start of the season.
Aston Villa vs Brighton Key Factors to Consider
- When Aston Villa and Brighton met for their reverse Premier League battle on December 3rd, Emery’s side secured a pulsating 4-3 victory at the Amex.
- Aston Villa have recorded just a single win from their last five Premier League matchups.
- Brighton have secured just a single victory from any of their last 12 consecutive top-flight showdowns – a run that stems all the way back to the end of November.
- The Seagulls have also recorded just a sole Premier League win away from the Amex since back on September 27th.
- Seven of the last eight meetings between Aston Villa and Brighton have finished with over 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
Mustering just a single win from any of their previous five Premier League appearances, Aston Villa will have plenty of pressure on their shoulders here. Despite still being sat in bronze medal position, Wednesday’s hosts are enduring their worst blip of the 2025/26 campaign. However, landing a thrilling 4-3 victory when they travelled to the Amex for their reverse Premier League showdown on December 3rd, Emery’s side will be confident of exploring a Brighton squad who have continued to show some real issues on either side of opening the New Year.
Verdict: Aston Villa win
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Luckster