GERRARD DELIGHT AS VILLA ARE REVITALISED BY WIN AT BRIGHTON

ASTON VILLA recorded a timely 2-0 win at Brighton to lift themselves up to 12th in the Premier League.

Steven Gerrard’s side had lost their last two games against opponents below them in the table in Newcastle and Watford.

But goals from Matty Cash and Ollie Watkins secured a comfortable victory on the south coast as the Seagulls’ form continues to dip.

Graham Potter’s side have won just one of their last eight games and have lost their last three without scoring.

After the game at the Amex Stadium was delayed by half an hour due to traffic, Villa opened the scoring in the 17th minute.

Lucas Digne’s cross was only cleared as far as Cash on the edge of the box. The full-back chested the ball down and drilled it past Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and in off the left-hand post.

On 68 minutes, Watkins skipped past home defender Lewis Dunk and fired home from close range.

‘I thought we controlled the game from start to finsh,’ said Gerrard.

Elsewhere, Crystal Palace drew 1-1 with Burnley at Selhurst Park. The Eagles took the lead on nine minutes when Michael Olise crossed for Jeffrey Schlupp to convert at the back post.

Burnley levelled one minute after the break. Jay Rodriguez cut the ball back into the box and Palace’s Luka Milvojevic put through his own net.

Palace boss Patrick Vieira said: ‘I’m disappointed. We tried hard but we were missing something.’