Brighton and Hove Albion v Aston Villa Saturday 3pm - Pre Match Thread.

[Clampy]

I've got a sneaky feeling we are going to turn these over today. I'm not sure where the optimism is coming from though.

[Goldenballs]

Opta stats

Brighton are winless in their last five home league games against Aston Villa. However, the last four of these meetings has ended level, including both such games in the Premier League.

Following a 2-0 win in November in Steven Gerrard's first game in charge, Aston Villa are looking to complete the league double over Brighton for the first time since 1981-82.

Brighton have scored just 10 goals in their 12 Premier League home games this season, with four of the Seagulls' six league defeats this term coming at the Amex Stadium.

After winning four of their first six Premier League games under Steven Gerrard, Aston Villa have won just one of their subsequent seven (D2 L4) - a 1-0 away win against Everton.

Neal Maupay's has scored 26 goals in the Premier League for Brighton - one more strike will see him become the Seagulls' highest goalscorer in the competition (currently level with Glenn Murray).

[Behind Bluenose Lines]

Lose again then, Villa: see if I care!

#fickle 

[itmustbe_it is!]

I fear a one goal win to Brighton with a controversial Inexperienced ref/VAR decisio  against us

Penalty appeal turned down, after Lewis Dunk uses chainsaw to hack off Watkins leg as he was about to shoot.

VAR spend 3 hrs rolling the footage backwards and forwards to show Dunks' toe brushing the ball just before  the chainsaw meets Watkins leg, and the after the game it's revealed that there was an ammendment to rule 3,267 part 74 whereby chainsaws are allowed if they're not held in an unnatural position.