Aston Villa will beat Brighton easily if they play as they did when embarrassing Arsenal at the Emirates before the break. Life has been a little tougher at Villa Park though – Liverpool demolition aside – and Dean Smith is likely to have warned his team against overconfidence. Graham Potter’s side have flashed in attack in spots this season but have struggled for creativity recently with three goals in their past four matches. The logic behind counting on a proven poor finisher in Danny Welbeck and an ageing Adam Lallana should be questioned. On the flip side Lewis Dunk’s return strengthens an already stout defence that could limit Villa’s relative potency. Potter has had enough to time to plot a much-needed win but does he have the talent to execute? Possibly not. Graham Searles
Saturday 3pm BT Sport 1
Venue Villa Park
Last season Aston Villa 2 Brighton 1
Odds H 13-10 A 9-4 D 11-4
Referee Michael Oliver
This season G7 Y15 R1 2.28 cards/game
ASTON VILLA
Subs from Kalinic, Steer, Taylor, Nakamba, El Ghazi, Jota, Elmohamady, Davis, Ramsey, Chrisene, Hourihane, Heaton, Hause, Trezeguet
Doubtful Hause (groin)
Injured Wesley (knee, Jan), Engels (hamstring, unknown), Guilbert (chest, unknown)
Suspended None
Discipline Y14 R0
Form WWWLLW
Leading scorer Watkins 6
BRIGHTON
Subs from Sánchez, Steele, Mac Allister, Bernardo, Sanders, Molumby, Weir, Emmerson, Dendoncker, Connolly, Trossard, Alzate, Pröpper
Doubtful Trossard (match fitness), Pröpper (ill)
Injured Andone (knee, unknown), Izquierdo (match fitness, unknown)
Suspended None
Discipline Y12 R2
Form LLDDLD
Leading scorer Maupay 4
