Pepe’s lifeline for Villa

FORMER ANFIELD HERO DENIES BRIGHTON WITH STUNNING LATE SAVE

PEPE REINA is already having a huge impact on Aston Villa after he produced a stunning late save to earn his team a point in a feisty clash at Brighton.

The former Liverpool goalkeeper has only just arrived on loan from AC Milan but made a crucial stop to deny Neal Maupay in injury time at the Amex.

Maupay ended the game being hauled down the tunnel by his own captain after a shoving match with Ezri Konsa – a player who used to be his team-mate at Brentford.

But Villa boss Dean Smith wanted to focus on the contribution of Reina and of Jack Grealish, whose stunning 75th minute goal earned a point after Leandro Trossard had struck for Brighton in the first half.

“It was a great save and a telling contribution,” he said. “Overall he was calmness personified. You wouldn’t have known he was making his debut for a new team.

“He’s a World Cup winner and the players know they have a calm head behind them. That character and charisma he’s got is rubbing off on people.”

Smith was also delighted with Grealish, who thumped home his ninth goal of an incredible season.

He added: “It’s a great finish from Jack but it’s what we’ve come to expect from him. You do start to run out of superlatives for him.”

And the good news for Villa fans is that Grealish will soon have some help, with the club very close to signing striker Mbwana Samatta from Genk for £10million.

Smith went on: “Jack is scoring but we still need a striker and we’re getting very close. The paperwork is just getting ticked off for Samatta. If we can get that done we’ll be really pleased. He’s a good player and a really good character.”

Brighton will be kicking themselves they didn’t wrap this one up in the first