Aston Villa need to move on quickly from the 6-1 home thrashing by Manchester City and focus on how to get the better of their relegation rivals Brighton. Dean Smith’s side have a respectable 14 points from eight games against teams in the bottom seven so panic must not set in despite residing in the danger zone. A huge boost is Pepe Reina’s arrival between the sticks. His 285 appearances in the Premier League for Liverpool will provide guidance for the second-worst defence in the league – one goal shy of conceding two goals per game. Brighton will hope Reina’s advancing years render him a spent force at 37. Brighton would be well-advised to try to test him severely. Graham Searles
Saturday 3pm
Venue Amex Stadium
Last season n/a
Referee Andrew Madley
This season G6 Y20 R1 3.67 cards/game
Odds H 4-6 A 4-1 D 7-2
BRIGHTON
Subs from Button, Steele, Bong, Stephens, Murray, Schelotto, Baluta, Connolly, March, Bissouma, Alzate
Doubtful None
Injured Burn (collarbone, Feb), Izquierdo (knee, Feb), Balogun (hamstring, unknown)
Suspended None
Discipline Y32 R2
Form DLLWDL
Leading scorer Maupay 7
ASTON VILLA
Subs from Kalinic, Nyland, Taylor, Chester, Ramsey, Lansbury, Jota, O’Hare, Elmohamady, Engels, Hourihane, Vassilev, Drinkwater
Doubtful Targett (hamstring)
Injured Davis (hamstring, Feb), Steer (achilles, Feb), Heaton (knee, Aug), Wesley (knee, Aug), McGinn (foot, unknown)
Suspended None
Discipline Y39 R1
Form LLWLWL
Leading scorer Grealish 6
