John Townley’s Aston Villa ratings after Unai Emery’s side beat Brighton in the Premier League
21:28, 11 Feb 2026Updated 00:09, 12 Feb 2026
Aston Villa edged past Brighton(Image: Michael Zemanek/Shutterstock)
Aston Villa edged past Brighton to consolidate their place in the Premier League’s top three as Unai Emery’s side ended their recent winless run at home with a crucial 1-0 victory.
Both Manchester United and Chelsea failed to win in midweek, handing Villa the opportunity to open up a six-point gap to fifth place.
Neither Villa nor Brighton created anything of real significance in the first half, with Emi Buendia coming closest to scoring just before the break.
Under-pressure boss Fabian Hürzeler hooked Carlos Baleba in the 22nd minute after he committed a couple of fouls while already on a yellow card, which he had picked up in the second minute.
Jadon Sancho produced Villa’s first shot of the game in the seventh minute as he skipped inside from the right wing and fired with his weaker left foot, but the effort was blocked.
Shortly afterwards, Morgan Rogers was denied by Bart Verbruggen from a tight angle, earning Villa their second corner inside the opening 10 minutes.
Ollie Watkins’ only sight of goal in the first period came when Ian Maatsen picked him out in the box, but from around 14 yards he could not steer his header on target.
It was not until the 44th minute that Villa threatened again, when Buendia received the ball on the edge of the area and drilled towards goal, narrowly missing the outside of Verbruggen’s right-hand post as the match remained goalless at the interval.
Brighton created the first opening of the second half as Jack Hinshelwood played a through ball to Kaoru Mitoma, who cut inside and attempted to bend the ball into the far corner, but his effort went wide.
Martinez then produced an excellent save to push Ferdi Kadioglu’s shot onto the bar in the 55th minute, leaving the Turkish full-back stunned his effort had not beaten the goalkeeper.
Emery turned to Leon Bailey and Ross Barkley on the hour mark, with the duo replacing Buendia and Sancho, before later calling on January recruits Tammy Abraham and Alysson.
But it was centre-back Mings who helped produce the decisive moment in the 86th minute, his header from Bailey’s corner glancing off Brighton’s Hinshelwood and past Verbruggen.
Villa now turn their attention to the FA Cup, where they host Newcastle United in the fourth round.
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Player ratings
Emi Martinez
Martinez made an excellent save to deny Kadioglu in the 55th minute, tipping the Brighton full-back’s effort onto the bar. He also commanded his area well and claimed several crosses. 8
Lamare Bogarde
Bogarde came into the side at right-back as Matty Cash missed the match with a minor knee issue. Troubled by Mitoma at times, but the youngster didn’t give up on his task. 6
Ezri Konsa
Could not quite divert Sancho’s cross on target just after the half-hour mark. Defended well alongside Mings. 7
Tyrone Mings
Preferred to Pau Torres again this evening and made his 200th appearance for the club, but wasn’t awarded the winning goal – still he’ll be claiming that to mark a special landmark. 8*
Ian Maatsen
Maatsen was the other change made by Emery. A livewire down the left flank as always, providing a dangerous outlet. 7
Amadou Onana
Had two sighters in the first 30 minutes – one blocked in the box and another that sailed into the North Stand – before also clearing the bar early in the second half. Aside from that, he got around the pitch well and was stuck-in from the first minute. 7
Douglas Luiz
Won the most fouls and duels in the first hour but misplaced eight of his 36 attempted passes by that point. The Brazilian was fortunate Villa were not punished on the counter after his cheeky pass was intercepted in midfield. 7
Jadon Sancho
Bright in the opening 10 minutes – he got a shot away on his weaker left foot and forced a corner with a cross – but was taken off on the hour as his influence faded. 6
Morgan Rogers
Baleba was booked in the second minute after fouling Rogers to stop a counter-attack. Rogers endured a frustrating evening. 6
Emi Buendia
Came closest to scoring for Villa in the first half, drilling narrowly wide from the edge of the box. 6
Ollie Watkins
Struggled in the first half under close attention from Van Hecke and saw little of the ball during the 30 minutes he played in the second period. Only two touches in the opposition box tonight. 5
SUBS
Ross Barkley (for Buendia, 60′): Used the ball well and showed good feet in tight areas. 7
Leon Bailey (for Sancho, 60): Produced the corner which led to Villa’s winner. Impressed after coming on. 7
Alysson (for Onana, 75′): Promising signs on his Villa debut. 6
Tammy Abraham (for Watkins, 75′): Had one moment in the box, but was pushed off-balance before he could get a shot away. 6
Victor Lindelof (for Luiz, 84′): N/A
Subs not used: Bizot, Wright, Digne, Torres.
GOALS
Aston Villa: Hinshelwood OG (86′)
Brighton: N/A
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