Aston Villa 1-2 Brighton: VAR denies Villa late penalty to salvage a point at home

Dean Smith's Aston Villa suffered their third Premier League game of the seson at home to Brighton.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 21: Solly March of Brighton and Hove Albion scores his team's second goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Brighton & Hove Albion at Villa Park on November 21, 2020 in Birmingham, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

By Daniel Morgan21 November 2020 18:42 BST

Solly March's stunning right-footed strike sealed Brighton's first ever win in at Villa Park in a thrilling 90 minutes of end to end football at B6.

Story of the game

Dean Smith's men were denied of a late penalty in additional time after the match-winner March brought Trezeguet down in the box, referee Michael Oliver initially pointed to the spot, but changed his mind after consulting VAR.

Villa were forced into an early change as Ross Barkley felt his hamstring go within the opening five minutes of the clash - Bertrand Traore came on to replace Barkley and make his second appearance in the Premier League this season.

Danny Welbeck opened the scoring for Brighton in the 12^th minute and scored his fifth career goal against Villa, chipping his former Arsenal teammate Emi Martinez, following questionable defending from a throw-in on the halfway line by Villa, which allowed Welbeck to find himself in a 1v1 situation with Martinez.

Villa had plenty of opportunities throughout the game, notably from Trezeguet, who missed two guilt edged chances within quick succession in the first half.

Ollie Watkins had the chance to put Villa level, though Ben White squandered the well worked chance with an impressive last-ditch challenge.

Ezri Konsa put his side level early on in the second half, converting from a wonderfully struck freekick from Traore.

Tariq Lamptey saw red in additional time only minutes afte receiving his first yellow card for a foul on Jack Grealish.

Though, March's wonderfull strike in the 56th minute was enough for the Seagulls to get their first ever win at Villa Park.

Takeaways from the game

Villa will feel hard done by, having 15 shots on goal, more than double the amount of shots Brighton (7) managed during the game.

The glaringly obvious penalty which was taken away from Villa late on perfectly summarises Villa's luck of the evening.

Brighton were undoubtedly good value for the win, their efficiency throughout the game and ruthlessness in-front of goal must be highlighted - but Graham Potter's men had the rub of the green this afternoon in the Second City.

Man of the match

Yves Bissouma: The Malian midfielder was vital to how Brighton set up today.

Operating in the midfield three, Bissouma put himself about the pitch effectively - the steel which he provided laid the foundations for a very solid two-way performance from Brighton this afternoon.