14’,
21’,
65’
26’
Aston Villa cruised to a 6-1 victory over top-four rivals Brighton & Hove Albion thanks to a hat-trick from Ollie Watkins.
Watkins became the fourth player to score in four consecutive matches against Brighton as he tapped the ball home from Matty Cash’s cross in the 14th minute.
The Villa striker bagged his second seven minutes later after Moussa Diaby sent him down the left. Watkins cut in on to his right foot and beat Brighton ’keeper Jason Steele on his near post.
It got worse for Brighton in the 26th minute when Pervis Estupinan turned Diaby’s wayward shot into his own net.
Brighton got a goal back five minutes into the second period as Ansu Fati, one of three half-time substitutes by Roberto De Zerbi, scored his first Premier League goal with his second touch of the match.
Watkins completed his second Premier League hat-trick in the 65th minute as his shot on the breakaway was deflected past Steele by Adam Webster.
Jacob Ramsey added a fifth thanks to a brilliant curling effort from the edge of the box, with Watkins adding an assist to his tally. Douglas Luiz sent Villa above Brighton into third with the sixth goal, following up after Steele had blocked Watkins’ shot.
Aston Villa report | Brighton report
What the managers said
Unai Emery: “We are feeling strong here with the supporters, we are connected with them, they are trying to help us and connect with us.
“We are trying to play for them and trying to keep our style, our idea of playing with energy, trying to get control of the game, trying to be good in the high press like we were playing against Brighton as they were demanding it." See more
Roberto De Zerbi: “We played a very bad game, without mental energy I thought. The biggest responsibility for the defeat is mine. In the second half we started better but after that we conceded three goals without a reaction – I didn’t like it. You have to be ready to give your best but we can’t lose every tackle, every duel and every second ball.
“It’s very tough to play every three days, but we have to adapt. We want to compete in every competition and we have to show that we are ready to do that." See more
Match officials
Referee: Andy Madley. Assistants: Ian Hussin, Nick Hopton. Fourth official: Anthony Backhouse. VAR: Stuart Attwell. Assistant VAR: Derek Eaton.
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