Jack Hinshelwood’s late own goal consigned Brighton to another defeat as Aston Villa got back to winning ways at Villa Park with a 1-0 victory.
Tyrone Mings' header from a corner was deflected in by the Brighton player in the 86th minute in a tense game under the lights. Ferdi Kadioglu had come closest to finding the breakthrough prior to that, only for Emiliano Martinez to tip his effort onto the bar.
It was a little harsh on Fabian Hurzeler, under pressure after losing to Crystal Palace on Sunday, given that Villa created little. But after two consecutive Premier League home defeats, Unai Emery was the one smiling at the end. Villa are now five points clear of fourth.
The first half was low on quality but notable for the appearance of James Milner, on early for a record-equalling 653rd Premier League appearance. The 40-year-old midfielder was required when Carlos Baleba, on a booking, was hooked having been fortunate to escape a red card.
It was a more combative performance by an out-of-form Brighton, going man-to-man against Villa and restricting them. The home side's second-half push attacking the Holte End never really came, with the Seagulls having the better openings after the break too.
But it was Villa who found the winner with help from Mings, on his 200th Villa appearance. The goal, like the performance, was not pretty but this was all about the points after those slip ups against Everton and Brentford. Emery's men are back on track.
Analysis by Your Site News reporter Elliot Cook:
Although it ended in a painful defeat, Brighton produced a performance which showed fight, guts and spirit. It was a display that showed much more passion and purpose than the one against Crystal Palace.
Fabian Hurzeler's side battled hard and were combative against a side third in the Premier League and it didn't go unnoticed by the travelling fans.
Despite the heartbreak of losing due to an 86th-minute own goal, the Brighton supporters showed their appreciation for their team's efforts with loud applause and songs at the full-time whistle - a stark contrast to the boos and chants of "You're getting sacked in the morning" heard at the Amex on Sunday.
There was a lack of quality in the final third which prevented Brighton from converting their superiority into goals in the second half, but this display showed that the players remain united behind the German and went some way in getting the anti-Hurzeler brigade back onside.
Expect more messages of support from Tony Bloom on Thursday for the head coach.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery speaking in the press conference:
"We needed to win. How? Sometimes playing better or playing worse. We needed to recover confidence through results, continue building through the structure we have. Those three points are really important.
"We maybe deserved more in the first half but it was an equal half. The second half we were a bit worse but it was an equal half. But we used the set piece which we are trying to exploit. Maybe a draw would have been a fair result but we lost two matches [here] when we were feeling so strong."
On the performance of Tyrone Mings: "He played a fantastic game and scored a fantastic goal. We were being collectively aggressive and passionate and we could win through set pieces with the power that we have."
Asked if the win was even more important after Chelsea and Manchester United dropped points: "No way, I don't want to speak about other teams. We are focusing on our way. Other teams are going to win and lose but if we lose we are out. Today we achieved 50 points and this is fantastic."
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler speaking in the press conference:
"We all know we don't deserve to lose it. We all know we definitely deserved more. The first half was tight, the second half we dominated and controlled the game.
"If we are more ruthless we score and in a game like this the team who scores the first goals wins it. Unfortunately Aston Villa did it out of nowhere.
"I feel sorry for the team but we have to take the responsibility, we have to keep pushing and we will sit here at one point being the winner."
Asked about the decision to substitute Carlos Baleba: "It is a bad decision from the referee to give him a yellow card. They need to understand giving yellow cards early mixes up the whole game plan. We have to take responsibility but I also think they have to take responsibility.
"We have to avoid a second yellow, we have to protect a young player. I saw these fouls so many times and 99 per cent [of the time] they don't give the yellow card. Therefore I really don't get it."
On James Milner and his record-equalling appearance: "He is a role model for the young players, professional, unbelievable discipline and it is not a coincidence that he is proving every day that he is capable of playing in the Premier League, especially today against a tough opponent.
"It's a pleasure to work with him. We are grateful to have him in our squad, not just as a player but for his character."
