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  1. Brighton v Aston Villa: Pick of the statspublished at 17:10 3 May

    Here are the key facts and figures before Sunday's game between Brighton and Aston Villa in the Premier League.

    • Brighton have lost their past five Premier League matches against Aston Villa by an aggregate score of 14-3. The Seagulls last suffered six defeats in a row against a side between 2019 and 2022 against Manchester United.

    • Having won their past five against Brighton, Aston Villa are looking to register six consecutive Premier League wins against an opponent for the first time since between 2005 and 2010 against neighbours Birmingham City.

    • Since Brighton began their maiden European campaign in this season's Europa League in September, they have won just seven of 29 Premier League matches (D11 L11). They would be 15th in a Premier League table in this time (since 21 September); they had started this season with four wins in their opening five league matches (L1) before their first Europa League match.

    • Aston Villa have led by two or more goals in each of their past four Premier League games but have only gone on to win two of them - drawing 3-3 with Brentford and 2-2 with Chelsea last time out (2-0 v Arsenal and 3-1 v Bournemouth in the others).

    • Having scored in a joint league-high 39 different Premier League games in 2023, Brighton have so far failed to find the net in more games than any other side in 2024 (eight).

    • Ollie Watkins has scored six goals in his past four Premier League appearances against Brighton and scored a hat-trick in Villa's 6-1 win earlier this season. It is the most goals he has netted against an opponent in the competition.

  2. De Zerbi on 'strong motivation', player contracts and 'incredible' Emerypublished at 16:42 3 May

    Nicola Pearson
    BBC Sport journalist

    Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League match at home to Aston Villa in the Premier League (14:00 BST).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • De Zerbi confirmed that they have "nine injured players, the same as Bournemouth and also now Adam Lallana".

    • He said the "strong motivation is to react, to play well and win" after their defeat by Bournemouth and they are "trying to give our best but sometimes it's been difficult to show our quality. In terms of attitude and behaviour, we are only focused on this season."

    • He added: "It is finishing a tough season, we want to do something different, we wanted to fight to reach the Europa League again and compete in a different way in the last three months, but we have to accept it is part of football. Sometimes you want to do something different, something better. You want to make our fans happy but sometimes you're not able to do that. The problems we've had are clear for everyone."

    • On players who are going to be out of contract: "[Danny] Welbeck I think is very close to signing a new contract. [Adam] Lallana and [James] Milner, we spoke in meetings we have had, I think they are both important players... I would like them to stay next season."

    • On staying motivated for rest of the season: "I spoke about motivation not because we want to go on holiday tomorrow or next week. When the target is not so close it is tough to accept for a team who is used to fighting for the important target. This season until the Brentford game, until maybe the Burnley game, we have had the chance to qualify for another year in the Europe League. I think after that we lost something of energy and of motivation."

    • De Zerbi said what Unai Emery has done at Aston Villa is "incredible" and "his style is clear, they have very important players, they spent lots of money in last transfer window on top of other great players they had," but added: "[It is] tough for them playing and competing in three or four competitions in one season because they are not so used to it."

    • On his comments about his side's best not being good enough: "After this type of defeat [against Bournemouth], you have not to say something else or anything more. I am lucky because my players are good people and they understand the moment is tough but we are still Brighton and we have to be able to win like last season and lose the game with pride and with the right attitude."

    Follow the rest of Friday's Premier League news conferences

    Listen to commentary of Brighton v Aston Villa from 14:00 BST on Sunday on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

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