Aston Villa vs Brighton Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News

The international break is over and won't be seen again until March next year, and there's no better way to welcome back the Premier League than by watching Aston Villa host Brighton on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts have enjoyed an electric start to the 2020/21 campaign after avoiding relegation by the skin of their teeth last season, going into the international break off the back of beating Arsenal 3-0.

It's not quite been the same story for Graham Potter's Brighton, however. Despite assembling a promising team, they've only found one win so far this season and must secure three points away from home this weekend in order to ensure that a rough patch doesn't see them caught in a relegation battle.

A win for Villa would keep them hanging with the big hitters at the top of the table for now and put them level on points with league leaders Leicester, who don't play until Sunday evening.

Where to Watch

When Is Kick Off? Saturday 21 November
What Time Is Kick Off? 15:00 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? Villa Park
TV Channel/Live Stream? BT Sport 1 (UK)
Referee? Michael Oliver

Team News

While many pulled out of Gareth Southgate's squad with injury, Jack Grealish has managed to stay fit and, despite some fatigue, will be available to play at the weekend. Tyrone Mings was also in the England camp and has returned safe and sound.

Fellow Englishman Ross Barkley is yet to earn a return to the national side despite an upturn in form since moving to the Midlands, so he's spent the last two weeks at the training ground preparing for the return of club football.

Long-term absentees Wesley Moraes and Tom Heaton remain unavailable as they step up their recoveries, with the former back on the grass and training with the ball. Bertrand Traore has missed out over the last few weeks with an adductor issue, but could return this weekend.

Brighton have a worrying injury list to consider. Davy Propper has struggled with an Achilles issue all season but is expected to be available, but Aaron Connolly and Leandro Trossard are doubtful for the clash.

Alexis Mac Allister returned a positive coronavirus test last week and is expected to miss out as a result. Solly March suffered an ankle injury against Spurs at the beginning of the month, but is expected to be fit in time for Saturday.

Predicted Lineups

Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; Luiz, McGinn; Trezeguet, Barkley, Grealish; Watkins.

Brighton: Ryan; Webster, Dunk, Veltman; Lamptey, Gross, White, Bissouma, March; Lallana, Maupay.

Recent Form

A 3-0 victory away to Arsenal before the break now means Dean Smith's side already have wins against the Gunners and current Premier League champions Liverpool, and we're not even in December.

They've scored 18 goals in their five wins and two losses in the league so far this season and look rejuvenated considering they only confirmed their Premier League status on the final day of last season. People are getting giddy and suggesting they might do a Leicester circa 2015/16 which sounds ridiculous, but considering how unpredictable the year and this season has been so far, anything could happen.

Fortunes aren't the same for the Seagulls, however, who haven't won a game since they beat Newcastle 3-0 in September. Brighton have been playing an impressive brand of football under Potter and it's continued into this season, but they need to translate that into points.

Here's how each side has fared in their last five games.

Aston Villa

Arsenal 0-3 Aston Villa (8/11)
Aston Villa 3-4 Southampton (1/11)
Aston Villa 0-3 Leeds (23/10)
Leicester 0-1 Aston Villa (18/10)
Aston Villa 7-2 Liverpool (4/10)

Brighton

Brighton 0-0 Burnley (6/11)
Tottenham 2-1 Brighton (1/11)
Brighton 1-1 West Brom (26/10)
Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton (18/10)
Everton 4-2 Brighton (3/10)

Prediction

With internationals out of the way until next year, now is the time for the league to settle down and find some consistency.

Villa have already proven that they're capable of retaining Premier League status this season, even if they do begin to slip down the pecking order at some point. Brighton still have work to do, however.

Are they one of the worst teams in the league? No. Does that matter? No. Failure to pull themselves out of this rut will leave them in a fight for survival if they aren't careful, but three points away at Villa Park is too big an ask.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Brighton