Aston Villa 1-2 Brighton & Hove Albion: Player Ratings as Seagulls Edge Thrilling Encounter

Aston Villa fell to a third consecutive home defeat after losing 2-1 to Brighton at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon.

Villa were dominant in the opening exchanges but fell behind after Danny Welbeck broke in behind an unbalanced backline before dinking his effort home superbly.

The hosts continued to spurn chances as an enthralling end-to-end battle ensued. They were then rewarded swiftly after the restart, though, as Ezri Konsa finished from close range.

The Villans weren't on level term for long, mind, as Solly March's wonderful right-footed effort handed the initiative back to the Seagulls.

A persistent Villa thought they'd earned their reward for a fine display after Trezeguet was brought down inside the area by goalscorer March before Michael Oliver overturned his initial decision after having a second look at the pitchside monitor.

Thus, 2-1 to the visitors is how it'd finish.

Let's get into some player ratings from Villa Park.

ASTON VILLA

1. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Emi Martinez (GK) - 7/10 - Sat down by Welbeck but superbly dealt with Maupay one-v-one later in the first half. Proactive off of his line throughout.

Matty Cash (RB) - 7/10 - His dynamism caused the visitors problems. Displayed good decision-making in the final third and the capacity to over and underlap, thus was unpredictable.

Ezri Konsa (CB) - 8/10 - Dominant defending his own box and caught the Brighton defence off guard to bag the equaliser.

Tyrone Mings (CB) - 5/10 - Failed to convince in all phases and was outshone by his centre-back partner.

Matt Targett (LB) - 6/10 - Advanced well from left-back and proved a threat in the final third. Had trouble dealing with Lamptey defensively.

2. Midfielders

John McGinn (CM) - 6/10 - Far too erratic in possession in this one although shrewd out of possession.

Douglas Luiz (CM) - 6/10 - The Brazilian's enjoyed a fine start to the season but didn't appear at his best today with fatigue a potential factor.

Trezeguet (RM) - 5/10 - Fluid Villa attack saw him line-up on both flanks. Was bright and combined nicely with Cash down the right but just way too wasteful in front of goal.

Ross Barkley (AM) - N/A - Succumbed to injury in the opening stages.

Jack Grealish (LM) - 7/10 - The England international typically influential in the opening period, functioning across the width of the pitch before Brighton mitigated his threat somewhat after the break. Still continued to produce some wonderful moments with the ball, mind.

3. Forward

Ollie Watkins (ST) - 6/10 - Ran the channels effectively and caused Dunk problems early. Influence wasn't massive but movement and hold-up play were both impressive.

4. Substitutes

Bertrand Traore - 5/10 - Set-piece delivery often hit the mark - setting up Konsa's equaliser - but open play influence was minimal. Was substituted himself late on.

Anwar El Ghazi - 7/10

Conor Hourihane - 6/10

BRIGHTON

5. Goalkeeper & Defenders

Mat Ryan (GK - 6/10 - Rarely tested after the break despite Villa's pressure, although denied Traore and Mings smartly in the opening period.

Ben White (CB) - 7/10 - Enjoyed plenty of fine defensive sequences in the opening period, including goal-saving intervention to deny Watkins, before moving into midfield for the second half.

Lewis Dunk (CB) - 7/10 - Was outfoxed by Watkins in the opening stages on his return before settling nicely into proceedings. Defended his box well with dominant aerial ability.

Adam Webster (CB) - 7/10 - Uncharacteristically sloppy in possession on occasions but was impressive in his defensive work. Blocks aplenty.

6. Wing-Backs & Midfielders

Tariq Lamptey (RWB) - 8/10 - Electric as per. Often caught McGinn out in possession and served as an effective outlet for the Seagulls throughout. Villa simply couldn't cope with Lamptey's athleticism and balance. Unfortunately dismissed late on.

Yves Bissouma (CM) - 8/10 - His return was huge for Potter. Bissouma brings pretty much everything to this Brighton midfield: technique, control, defensive nous and physicality. He was impressive, dealing with Grealish better than most too.

Pascal Gross (CM) - 6/10 - Functioned like a metronome in the middle of the park with his typical efficiency in possession. Struggled, however, when thrust into more advanced role.

Adam Lallana (AM) - 7/10 - Precise pass set away Welbeck for the opener and movement between the lines was a cause for concern for the hosts before his half-time withdrawal.

Solly March (LWB) - 8/10 - An underrated star in this Brighton side who's thrived in a wing-back role. Switches of play were troubling and pinpoint, while his strike was a thing of beauty with weaker right foot. Caught Trezeguet for the penalty.

7. Forwards

Neal Maupay (ST) - 6/10 - Fairly quiet and was denied one-v-one by Martinez at 1-0. Established a good understanding with Welbeck, though, and combined smartly with his strike partner.

Danny Welbeck (ST) - 9/10 - Looked like a man reborn today. Finish for the opener was exquisite and although a heavy touch prevented him from grabbing a first-half brace, his all-round game was superb. Touch to set away Maupay was genius and every run of his served a purpose.

8. Substitutes

Joel Veltman - 7/10

Dan Burn - N/A