João Pedro was the match winner against Aston Villa. Photo: Kin Cheung / AP / NTB.
Of NTB | 05.05.2024 17:05:40
Sport: As a result, Aston Villa lost important points in the battle for Champions League play next season, while Brighton ended their streak without a win in six straight. The last time Roberto De Zerbi’s men ran away with three points was all the way back on March 10 when they won 1-0 at home to Nottingham Forest.
Pedro became the match winner when he first missed a penalty in the 87th minute, but blocked the rebound.
Fourth-placed Villa has a gap of seven points to Tottenham in 5th place, but the London club have played two fewer games and can be only one point behind with a full pot.
It has already been decided that Germany and Italy will get one extra place in the Champions League next season, so Villa is thus dependent on 4th place if they are to try again at the top level of European club football.
Villa have not been in the Champions League, or the league winners’ cup as it was then called, since the 1982/83 season. The year before, they won the tournament for the first, and so far only, time.
The visitors didn’t get off to a dream start to the game either, as Morgan Rogers had to leave with an injury after just 23 minutes. In came Matty Cash.
After 70 goalless minutes, Pascal Gross thought he had sent the hosts into the lead. To the dismay of the home crowd, the goal was disallowed for offside following a VAR check.
With three minutes left on the clock, Brighton were awarded a penalty after Ezri Konsa brought down Pedro inside the penalty area. The Brazilian took the penalty himself, and on the return he became the match winner.
(© NTB)