Aston Villa Slipped, Expected To Enter The Big Four After Pedro's Postponed Goal

Joao Pedro, the key to Brighton's victory (photo: x @OfficialBHAFC)

JAKARTA - Aston Villa failed to take the opportunity to get closer to the top four after they lost 1-0 to Brighton on Sunday 5 May. Joao Pedro's final header became the decisive in the match at the Amex Stadium, the striker scored three minutes from the end after Robin Olsen's first penalty shot.

With Tottenham in fifth place against Liverpool, Villa should have been able to secure a position in the Champions League with a win. However, Unai Emery's side remain in fourth place, seven points adrift of Spurs who have two remaining games, while Brighton is up to 11th.

Brighton had a bigger threat during the first half full of chances, with Simon Adingra unleashing a hard shot that Olsen anticipated.

Villa, who lost Morgan Rogers to injury midway through the first half, also had to thank Olsen twice in first-half injury time. First, he held Adingra's volley from Pedro's cross, before also thwarting Pascal Gross from close range.

The hosts continued to look more likely to open the deadlock after halftime. Olsen thwarted Pedro, while Julio Enciso fired a shot wide of distance.

Brighton seemed to have taken the lead in the last quarter of the game when Gross converted Igor's cross from inside box six yards, but the goal was ruled out after a VAR review assuming Gross was in an offside position.

Guests also managed to score goals on the other side of the pitch, even though the offside flag stopped John McGinn, who grabbed the ball after bouncing in box six yards.

However, in the 87th minute, Brighton managed to get a breakthrough. Olsen managed to guess the direction of the ball to save Pedro's penalty after Ezri Konsa brought down Adingra, but the forward was unstoppable while heading in a rebound to give Brighton a win.

Pedro Reaches 20 Goals

Brighton came to this game after two consecutive defeats, hoping to avoid a third successive defeat for the first time since March 2022.

Brighton have also lost their previous five meetings with Villa in the Premier League, who can confirm their Champions League qualifiers with a win and Spurs' defeat to Liverpool.

Gross almost opened the deadlock in his 200th Premier League appearance for Brighton - his shot disallowed after a VAR review - to become just the second player to reach the mark after Lewis Dunk.

However, Pedro became the hero when he became the first player to score 20 goals in all competitions in a season for Brighton since Glenn Murray in the 2016/17 season (23 goals).

Villa Less Sharp

Villa - who were shocked by Olympiacos in the Europa Conference League on Thursday - were unable to take advantage of their chances to secure the top four after an unusually quiet performance in front of goal.

tankins has scored six goals in his last four appearances against Brighton - his highest number against one opponent - and has been directly involved in eight goals in his last five Premier League games (six goals and two assists).

However, the British striker was unable to take advantage of the moment in a match where Villa had only recorded two shots into the net.

It was their lowest shot in a Premier League game since May 2016 against Newcastle United (also two), while they recorded fewer shots on their record against Manchester United in August 2005 (one).

They should still have enough to secure the top four, but Emery's team needs to get through these difficult times.