![\"Ollie](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Watkins-Emery-1140x641.jpg\")
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Credit: Imago<\/p>\n
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Wed 3 December 2025 21:38, UK Updated Wed 3 December 2025 22:47, UK <\/p>\n
Aston Villa ran out 4-3 winners in a crazy game against Brighton, taking all three points back to the Midlands.<\/strong><\/p>\n Brighton raced into a two goal lead, Jan Paul van Hecke forcing in the opener<\/a> before Pau Torres poked into his own net.<\/p>\n Aston Villa<\/a> fought back quickly though, Ollie Watkins sliding home to halve the deficit before then levelling the scores with a smart finish just before the break.<\/p>\n Unai Emery\u2019s<\/a> side came out for the second half with a renewed sense of energy, Amadou Onana powering home from a corner, with Donyell Malen<\/a> then adding a fourth just seconds after coming on.<\/p>\n With seven minutes left to play, Van Hecke grabbed his second of the afternoon with a strike from the edge of the box, but Villa managed to hang on and secure all three points.<\/p>\n Watkins came into the contest in absymal form<\/a>, having not scored in his last 11 Aston Villa games across all competitions.<\/p>\n The England international showed his class against Brighton though, dragging Villa back into the contest after they had fallen two goals behind.<\/p>\n When his team needed him most, Watkins stepped up, sliding home an Ian Maatsen cross to halve the deficit.<\/p>\n Moments before half-time, the 29-year-old found the back of the net again, bursting through on goal and making no mistake with the finish.<\/p>\n Marco Bizot bailed out by Aston Villa teammate<\/p>\n Emi Martinez was the hero in Aston Villa\u2019s 1-0 win over Wolves<\/a>, but the Argentine picked up an injury in the warm up and was forced to pull out of the lineup.<\/p>\n Marco Bizot came in for the 33-year-old, but his lack of match sharpness was clear, and he almost cost Emery\u2019s side he game.<\/p>\n Bizot was at fault for Van Hecke\u2019s opener, before failing to keep out Torres\u2019 deflection, as Brighton went 2-0 up.<\/p>\n Bizot struggled against Brighton<\/p>\n The Dutchman did make a superb save in the final seconds to prevent Danny Welbeck netting an equaliser.<\/p>\n Aston Villa player ratings vs Brighton<\/p>\n Marco Bizot \u2013<\/strong> 3\/10<\/p>\n Matty Cash \u2013 <\/strong> 7\/10<\/p>\n Ezri Konsa \u2013 <\/strong>7\/10<\/p>\n Pau Torres \u2013 <\/strong>4\/10<\/p>\n Ian Maatsen \u2013 <\/strong> 6\/10<\/p>\n Amadou Onana \u2013 <\/strong>7\/10<\/p>\n Boubacar Kamara \u2013 <\/strong>6\/10<\/p>\n John McGinn \u2013 <\/strong>6\/10<\/p>\n Morgan Rogers \u2013<\/strong> 8\/10<\/p>\n Evann Guessand \u2013 <\/strong>5\/10<\/p>\n Ollie Watkins \u2013<\/strong> 9\/10<\/p>\n Substitutes<\/p>\n Lucas Digne \u2013<\/strong> 5\/10<\/p>\n Youri Tielemans<\/strong> \u2013 <\/strong>5\/10<\/p>\n Donyell Malen \u2013 <\/strong>7\/10<\/p>\n Emi Buendia \u2013 <\/strong>6\/10<\/p>\n Lamare Bogarde \u2013 <\/strong>6\/10<\/p>\n Enjoyed this article?<\/strong>\u00a0Stay connected with all the latest Aston Villa news, updates, and behind-the-scenes content by following us on our new Instagram account \u2013\u00a0@villanews247<\/a><\/p>\n ![\"Aston](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/unai-emery-3-1024x675.jpg\")
Credit: ImagoOllie Watkins sends message to Unai Emery<\/p>\n![\"Ollie](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/imago1067575101-1024x734.jpg\")
Credit: Imago<\/p>\n\n Stats<\/strong><\/td>\n Marco Bizot<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Goals Conceded<\/td>\n 3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Expected Goals Prevented<\/td>\n -1.15<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Errors leading to a goal<\/td>\n 1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n