Ollie Watkins returned to haunt former club Brentford with the decisive strike as Aston Villa recorded a 1-0 win at the Gtech Community Stadium.

The England striker, who left west London in 2020, was jeered by the home fans as his clinical finish kept Villa in the hunt for European qualification.

Villa, in seventh, are now two points off fourth-placed Manchester City, who lost 1-0 at Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Minutes after John McGinn’s lapse of concentration in his own box almost gifted the hosts an opener, a counter-attack sparked by Mikkel Damsgaard meant the Dane nearly added to his 10 assists this season. The midfielder’s perfectly weighted touch to release Yoane Wissa was interrupted by an offside flag.

Villa, on track to advance into the quarter-finals of the Champions League after Tuesday’s first-leg 3-1 win over Club Brugge, began to warm to the task and looked dangerous from set-pieces.

Chelsea loanee Axel Disasi pounced on a loose ball from a corner and forced Mark Flekken into action with a close-range low stop before a terrific bit of skill from Youri Tielemans created the half’s best chance.

The Belgium international had ample time on the ball and dropped a shoulder before finding his way into the area and shooting straight at Flekken.

Villa continued to play with spark after the interval and the clinical Watkins buried his first chance of the match.

Tielemans was instrumental again as he turned under pressure and set Morgan Rogers away, with the attacking midfielder feeding Watkins, who sent his effort inside the near post from a tight angle.

Villa had two strikes disallowed in their 4-1 defeat by Crystal Palace last month and their misfortune struck again when they were denied another from the restart.

Watkins’ pace was utilised once again as he was played in behind. He unselfishly gave Rogers a straightforward six-yard finish, but VAR deemed the striker to have started his run too soon.

Unai Emery turned to the bench in the form of Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford, but Brentford increased the tempo of the match, with Keane Lewis-Potter’s effort hitting the post before Watkins was left red-faced when his chipped effort while one-on-one with Flekken was simply scooped up by the goalkeeper.

07:43 PM GMT

Axel Disasi post-match thoughts

Speaking to Sky Sports, Aston Villa defender Axel Disasi said: “After playing in the Champions League it’s hard to win, but I think today we deserved the three points. In the first half we played very well. At the beginning of the second half we scored, and then we all saw the character of the team. We were strong and we were looking for a clean sheet.

“We need to be more consistent. After the game we lost against Palace [in Villa’s last league game], we were hungry and wanted to correct it. The game today was the perfect answer because everyone was fighting.”

Speaking about his exchanges with Kevin Schade, he said: “I just tried to do my best to help the team. I came here to play and to enjoy myself. I’m very happy at Villa.”

Speaking on Villa’s rest of the season, he said: “It’s still nine games to go. We’ll take it one game at a time. We know we have to be higher in the league. We just have to stay focused. We have another game on Wednesday [in the Champions League]. I hope this kind of game will bring confidence to the team.”

07:30 PM GMT

Villa still vying for Europe

Aston Villa’s hard-fought win takes them up to seventh in the Premier League table, a point behind Chelsea and Brighton above them.

07:25 PM GMT

Full time: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1

Aston Villa have claimed all three points in west London for just their second away league win in ten away matches.

Brentford did put Villa on the back foot after Watkins’ goal, but the visitors held on to seal just their fourth league clean sheet this season.

The home side, meanwhile, are now without a win at the Gtech in seven games going back to December last year.

07:23 PM GMT

94 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1

Brentford have a corner and Damsgaard’s lovely inswinging delivery flashes across the box and is flicked past the far post by a Brentford head.

Olsen then intervenes well to intercept and hold onto a searching cross into the box by Mbeumo towards the outstretched Yoane Wissa.

07:18 PM GMT

90 minutes: Brentford 0 Villa 1

Five minutes of stoppage time announced at the Gtech Stadium, as Brentford filter forward to muster one last opening on goal.

07:16 PM GMT

87 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1

Watkins has a huge opportunity to settle this match, after being put through on goal by Morgan Rogers.

The striker has time to decide what finish to apply, and opts to attempt to chip the Brentford goalkeeper, but his feeble effort is easily gathered by Flekken.

If Brentford get a late equaliser, you can’t help but feel Watkins will rue this miss.

07:13 PM GMT

83 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1

Brentford continue to exert pressure on the Villa goal in an eventful few minutes.

First, Olsen palms away Schade’s shot from outside the box, before a menacing low cross is steered away by Disasi.

From the resulting throw-in, Villa nearly gift Brentford with an equalliser, as Olsen drops a cross after colliding with Watkins but the visitors still manage to clear their lines.

07:09 PM GMT

80 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1

Villa now have a corner after Watkins’ deflected shot sails over the bar.

The ball finds its way to Disasi on the right hand side, who joyfully jinks in the corner and wins his side a throw.

Having escaped two penalty claims, it’s safe to say Disasi is enjoying himself now.

07:07 PM GMT

78 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1

Disasi yet again is involved in a call for a Brentford penalty, as he comes together with Schade and brushes him to the ground.

The home supporters cry out for a penalty but the Var deems the Frenchman innocent once more.

07:00 PM GMT

70 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1

Brentford are knocking on Villa’s door in pursuit of an equaliser, and Disasi produces another well-timed sliding challenge to block Schade’s close-range effort on goal.

Shortly afterward, Lewis-Potter’s low strike from the edge of the box fizzes onto the left hand post before bouncing away from goal.

06:55 PM GMT

65 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1

Brentford think they should have a penalty after Villa defender Disasi collides with Kevin Schade in the penalty area.

Disasi had lost his footing, which probably allows him to have the benefit of doubt by the Var officials, but that didn’t stop Brentford’s manager Thomas Frank protesting strongly to the nearest official.

06:52 PM GMT

63 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1

Villa goalkeeper Robin Olsen, a short while ago was clutching his back again a short while ago after claiming a cross.

The 35 year old still is on the pitch, but McGinn has departed in place of Boubacar Kamara.

06:48 PM GMT

Watkins offside

06:47 PM GMT

58 mins: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1

Lewis-Potter flies down the left flank for Brentford and looks to deliver a low cross, but Disasi executes a fantastic sliding tackle to block the ball and divert it for a corner, followed by exuberant celebrations from the Frenchman.

06:45 PM GMT

54 mins: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1

Brentford supporters were rallying their players after Rogers’ disallowed goal, and the home side then threatened to equalise several minutes later.

Wissa’s header from an inswinging corner narrowly flew over the bar, as Brentford look to gain a foothold back into this match.

06:40 PM GMT

52 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 1

In the blink of an eye, Villa thought they had doubled their lead, with Morgan Rogers tapping in after some great work from Watkins on the left hand side.

But the England striker is adjudged to have ran offside in the lead up to the goal.

The score stays at 1-0.

06:36 PM GMT

GOAL! Brentford 0 Villa 1 - Watkins

Villa have taken the lead and it’s the former Brentford man Ollie Watkins who has fired the visitors in front.

The 29 year old receives the ball on the left hand side and cuts in to drive a well-struck deflected shot through Flekken’s legs to open the scoring.

06:33 PM GMT

Back underway

The second half has now commenced, with Aston Villa making one change after the break, with Matty Cash replacing Leon Bailey.

06:17 PM GMT

Half time: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0

All square at the break, with both teams unable to create any meaningful opportunities in that first half.

You feel like a goal would definitely spark this game into life, as both teams have shown some signs of attacking endeavour.

06:14 PM GMT

42 mins: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0

After a prolonged wait, Bailey eventually is elected to take the free kick but the Jamaica international can only drive an effort into the Brentford wall.

McGinn then earns a booking for catching Wissa with a stray arm when tracking back to tackle the Brentford forward.

06:10 PM GMT

39 mins: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0

Aston Villa now have a free kick around 30 yards from goal, with Leon Bailey and Lucas Digne standing over the ball.

They have dominated possession in the past five minutes, but have not managed to carve an opening.

06:06 PM GMT

33 mins: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0

Youri Tielemans has been at the heart of Villa’s attacks in these past few minutes, first driving into the penalty area on the left and firing a shot that is palmed away by Flekken before being cleared away for a corner.

Tielemans. moments later is free at the back post to meet a wonderful cross from the right but his downward header is diverted over the bar by Pinnock.

06:02 PM GMT

30 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0

Aston Villa’s stand-in goalkeeper Robin Olsen looked to be in notable discomfort holding his lower back, after stretching to steer the ball away to prevent a Brentford corner.

The Swede is continuing in goal for the timebeing, but visiting manager Unai Emery will be worried given that Emi Martinez is already missing from the action today due to injury.

05:58 PM GMT

27 mins: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0

A momentary pause in proceedings now to allow players observing Ramadan on both teams to break their fasts.

05:56 PM GMT

24 mins: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0

Brentford now have a corner, after a prolonged spell of Villa possession.

The visitors nearly launch a break neck breakaway from their own half, but Keane Lewis-Potter does very well to read the danger and prevent Jacob Ramsey progressing up the pitch.

05:53 PM GMT

Unai’s loyal legion of Villa fans

This is the refrain ringing around the Gtech Stadium from the Villa fans since the first whistle was blown.

And whenever you think it’s quietened down, the chant starts growing louder all over again.

05:49 PM GMT

16 mins: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0

Axel Disasi causes Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken to produce a smothering close-range save, but the French defender is in an offside position.

His fellow defender Tyrone Mings then has a tremendous chance to give the visitors the lead, but his tame left footed shot from Tielemans well-delivered free kick is duly caught by Flekken with no problems.

05:44 PM GMT

12 mins: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0

Villa now begin to make inroads into the Brentford half and Jacob Ramsey produces a promising curled effort from the edge of the box that threatens to trouble Mark Flekken in goal, but defender Nathan Colllins heads the ball away for a corner.

05:40 PM GMT

8 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0

Aston Villa do not look at all assured so far at the back in these opening stages.

First, John McGinn is caught in possession inside his own penalty area, which nearly gifts Wissa with a clear shot on goal before Villa smuggle the ball away from a clearance.

Moments later, Damsgaard plays a lovely through ball that feeds Janelt on the left hand side, whose cross leads to shots for Schade and Wissa that are repelled by Tyrone Mings before a belated off side flag is raised.

05:37 PM GMT

5 minutes: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0

Brentford nearly find their way behind Villa’s backline, when Janelt’s long ball sets Schade running through on goal, but the attacker cannot bring the ball under control.

A moment of controversy then arises when stand in keeper Robin Olsen picks the ball up from an apparent backpass.

05:35 PM GMT

3 mins: Brentford 0 Aston Villa 0

There is a splendid atmosphere at the Gtech so far, with the travelling supporters lavishing Unai Emery with praise after another rousing rendition of Hey Jude from the home fans pre-match.

05:30 PM GMT

Kick off!

The game is underway in west London!

Can the visitors banish their post-Europe blues to win a Premier League match after playing in Europe for only the second time this season?

05:30 PM GMT

More defensive concerns for Emery

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery will lament Emi Martinez’s absence today, given Villa have only kept three Premier League clean sheets this season.

05:25 PM GMT

A reminder of how both teams will line up

Brentford

Flekken, Ajer, Collins, Pinnock, Lewis-Potter, Norgaard, Janelt, Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Schade, Wissa. 
Subs: Jensen, Valdimarsson, Mee, Yarmolyuk, Konak, Maghoma, Kim,Morgan, Fredrick.

Aston Villa

Olsen, Disasi, Konsa, Mings, Digne, McGinn, Tielemans, Bailey, Rogers, Ramsey, Watkins. 
Subs: Zych, Cash, Rashford, Torres, Garcia, Malen, Maatsen, Bogarde, Kamara.

Referee: Jarred Gillett (Australia)

05:18 PM GMT

Report from Anfield as Liverpool move 16 points clear at top

Here’s our match report from Anfield, as Liverpool sealed a 3-1 comeback victory against Southampton: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2025/03/08/darwin-nunez-key-liverpool-beat-southampton/

Our attention will now turn to the Gtech Stadium for a tasty Premier League encounter between Brentford and Aston Villa.

05:03 PM GMT

Full time at the Amex and Anfield

Liverpool have won 3-1 against Southampton to move 16 points clear at the top of Premier League, with nine games left.

Meanwhile, Brighton’s last-gasp 2-1 win against Fulham at the Amex Stadium takes the home side up to sixth, just one point away from Manchester City, in fourth.

04:57 PM GMT

GOAL! Brighton 2 Fulham 1 - Joao Pedro

Joao Pedro has fired his penalty past Bernd Leno to surely give Brighton all three points in dramatic fashion!

04:55 PM GMT

Penalty to Brighton!

Some very late drama in east Sussex, as Joao Pedro wins a penalty for Brighton.

04:54 PM GMT

Full time: Palace 1 Ipswich 0

Crystal Palace have won 1-0 against Ipswich, and the visitors may finish the day eight points away from safety, if Wolves win tonight against Everton.

04:51 PM GMT

GOAL! - Liverpool 3 Southampton 1 - Salah

Liverpool are gifted their second penalty of the match, which is emphatically dispatched by Salah for his second this afternoon, and his 27th league goal this campaign.

04:43 PM GMT

GOAL! Palace 1 Ipswich 0 - Sarr

Palace finally have their breakthrough in this encounter, and it’s Ismaila Sarr who gets onto the scoresheet, bursting past opposing defender Jacob Greaves before coolly dinking the ball over Palmer to give the home side the lead.

04:40 PM GMT

76 mins: Palace 0 Ipswich 0

Still goalless at Selhurst Park, but Palace have spurned an enormous chance to break the deadlock, with Daniel Munoz going through on goal one on one with visiting goalkeeper Alex Palmer, but the Colombia international fails to convert his effort past Palmer.

04:31 PM GMT

Three minutes of magic for Liverpool / Three minutes of madness for Southampton

A reminder of how quickly this match at Anfield was turned on its head.

04:26 PM GMT

Villa lineup

No Emi Martinez in the Aston Villa squad this afternoon, as Unai Emery’s side travel to the Gtech Stadium without the world’s best goalkeeper (who won the Yashin Award in 2024, given by France Football)

04:24 PM GMT

Brentford lineup

Here’s Brentford’s starting XI for their Premier League match against Aston Villa, which kicks off at 5:30pm.

04:22 PM GMT

Another landmark for Salah this season

Mohamed Salah has now risen to third in Liverpool’s list of all-time leading goal scorers, with his 242nd goal for the club.

04:20 PM GMT

View from Anfield

04:17 PM GMT

GOAL! Liverpool 2 Southampton 1 - Salah

A dreadful two minutes for Southampton, as they now concede a penalty to Liverpool after Smallbone trips Nunez in the penalty area.

Salah then fires his penalty high above Ramsdale’s diving frame to put the home side in front.

04:15 PM GMT

GOAL! Liverpool 1 Southampton 1 - Nunez

Darwin Nunez has scored a huge goal to bring Liverpool back on level terms, with a nice side footed finish that zips past Ramsdale after a brilliant run down the left flank from Luis Diaz.

04:13 PM GMT

52 minutes: Liverpool 0 Southampton 1

Liverpool are cranking up the pressure in this second half, and Elliott prompts Ramsdale into a fantastic low save, with the Southampton number one pushing the ball away for a corner.

04:10 PM GMT

50 mins: Brighton 1 Fulham 1

Joao Pedro comes close to giving Brighton the lead, but the Brazilian cannot fire his close-range shot on target.

04:08 PM GMT

View from Anfield

04:07 PM GMT

Dibling’s dazzling dribbles troubling Liverpool again

04:05 PM GMT

View from Anfield

04:03 PM GMT

Southampton defying the stats

How ironic would it be for Southampton to earn a surprise victory at Anfield against the run of play, given Liverpool’s exploits in midweek against PSG?

Well, we have at least 45 more minutes to find out whether Southampton can manage to pull off an astounding win.

03:57 PM GMT

Who saw this coming? Maybe Southampton knew all along...

03:51 PM GMT

View from Anfield

03:48 PM GMT

GOAL - Liverpool 0 Southampton 1 - Smallbone

Silence around Anfield, except from the ecstatic Southampton supporters, as the visitors take a shock lead!

A calamitous mix-up between van Dijk and Alisson gifts Will Smallbone with a golden opportunity to put Southampton in front, and he slots the ball into the net for his first ever Premier League goal.

03:43 PM GMT

GOAL! Brighton 1 Fulham 1 - van Hecke

Brighton have equalised before the break, with defender van Hecke planting a beautiful header past Bernd Leno with the help of the post to restore parity in this match.

03:36 PM GMT

GOAL! Brighton 0 Fulham 1 - Jimenez

Fulham score on the road again, and it’s Raul Jimenez who has broken the deadlock for the visitors.

Iwobi fires a cross into the Brighton box, and Jimenez superbly traps the ball with his left foot before his thunderous half volley flies past Verburggen.

03:34 PM GMT

30 minutes: Liverpool 0 Southampton 0

Liverpool are applying more pressure onto Aaron Ramsdale’s goal, and the England goalkeeper denies Darwin Nunez with a sharp save from the striker’s turn and snapshot to keep the score goalless.

03:30 PM GMT

View from Anfield

03:29 PM GMT

27 minutes: Liverpool 0 Southampton 0

Now visiting goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale produces a good save of his own, turning away Alexander Arnold’s effort inside a packed penalty area.

03:27 PM GMT

25 minutes: Liverpool 0 Southampton 0

Despite losing captain Jan Bednarek to a head injury, Southampton have grown in confidence in this encounter.

Matheus Fernandes forced Alisson into a great save moments ago, as the visitors are posing a threat in what appeared to be a massive mismatch before kick off.

03:25 PM GMT

Will Hürzeler halt Brighton’s winless run vs. Fulham?

Brighton head coach Fabian Huerzeler has led his team to four straight Premier League wins since their 7-0 humiliation away at Nottingham Forest last month.

The 32 year old is hoping to give Brighton a first league win over Fulham in ten attempts, their longest ever winless run against another team in the top-flight.

03:18 PM GMT

View from Anfield

03:14 PM GMT

12 minutes: Liverpool 0 Southampton 0

A brief moment of concern for Liverpool with winger Luis Diaz laying hurt on the turf after hurtling into the advertising hoardings.

The Colombia winger manages to dust himself down to eventually get himself up and running again.

03:10 PM GMT

View from Anfield

03:08 PM GMT

View from Anfield

03:07 PM GMT

5 minutes: Liverpool 0 Southampton 0

Liverpool have started with clear attacking intent in this match, camping themselves in the visitors’ half and swarming Southampton in possession.

Curtis Jones has just had his shot from 15 yards roll past the post, after Salah’s initial shot was blocked.

03:04 PM GMT

2 minutes: Palace 0 Fulham 0

Eddie Nketiah has a great chance to open the scoring at Selhurst Park, after Adam Wharton’s sumptuous through ball, but the striker can only direct his shot into goalkeeper Palmer’s legs.

03:01 PM GMT

And we’re off!

All three 3pm games are now underway across the Premier League.

02:59 PM GMT

Kick off is near for all three 3pm games

All six teams involved in the Premier League’s 3pm kickoffs are gearing up and getting ready to go.

02:56 PM GMT

Will Dibling produce another daring display against Liverpool?

Tyler Dibling has been a bright spark in a very dour season for Southampton, and the 19 year old was excellent in the reverse fixture at St Mary’s against Liverpool in November.

Can the teenager trouble Liverpool once again this afternoon?

02:47 PM GMT

View from Anfield

02:45 PM GMT

Fulham flourishing on the road this season

Fulham have had a terrific season on their travels in the Premier League this season.

In fact, victory against Brighton would mark Fulham’s seventh top-flight away win this campaign, their joint-most away wins in a Premier League season which they first achieved in 2022-23.

Fulham have also scored in 12 straight away top-flight games. This is the club’s best scoring run in consecutive away league matches since a run of 14 matches between September 1959 and April 1960.

02:33 PM GMT

Will Nketiah continue his scoring streak at Selhurst Park?

Eddie Nketiah leads the line up front for Crystal Palace this afternoon, in Jean-Phillipe Mateta’s absence.

The 25-year-old has scored in his last two home matches at Selhurst Park, and scored his first Premier League goal for Palace in their 4-1 thrashing of Aston Villa in late February.

02:20 PM GMT

Will Salah sink Southampton once again?

Mohamed Salah scored the winning goal when Liverpool met Southampton back in November, as part of a brace in an eventful 3-2 away triumph for Liverpool.

Will the 32-year-old manage to add to his 25 Premier League goals this afternoon?

02:12 PM GMT

View from Anfield

02:07 PM GMT

Some stats to whet your appetite...

• Southampton are without a win from their last nine Premier League trips to Anfield. The visitors have lost their last six away league games vs Liverpool by an aggregate score of 19-1.

• 58 points separate Liverpool in first (67) and Southampton at the bottom (9) coming into this match. This is the largest points difference between two teams before a Premier League match since July 2020 when Liverpool, then on 86 points took on Aston Villa, on 27 points, at Anfield.

• Crystal Palace have not lost in their last 18 Premier League home matches against teams sitting in the relegation zone, since a 4-0 loss against Sunderland in February 2017.

• Only Crystal Palace (61% - 22/36) have earned a greater amount of their total Premier League points this campaign in away matches than Ipswich (59% - 10/17), with five of Ipswich’s eight points since December coming on the road.

• Brighton have won each of their last three Premier League games. The last time Brighton won four straight top-flight matches was between April and May 1981.

• Fulham have won their last three Premier League away games. This is the club’s best away form in the top-flight since 1966, where they won five straight away matches between March and April that year.

01:55 PM GMT

Fulham lineup

01:54 PM GMT

Brighton lineup

01:54 PM GMT

Ipswich lineup

01:53 PM GMT

Palace lineup

01:49 PM GMT

Southampton lineup

Southampton have made six changes from their 4-0 defeat away at Chelsea in their last Premier League fixture in late February.

Can they pull off an almighty upset at Anfield this afternoon?

01:47 PM GMT

Liverpool lineup

Liverpool make three changes from their midweek win against PSG, with Nunez, Jones and Tsimikas coming into the team for Jota, Mac Allister and Robertson.

01:44 PM GMT

Alisson’s amazing antics prised a precious win for Liverpool in Paris

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker stole the show on Wednesday night, as the 32 year old made nine saves during an incredible performance, as his side wrestled a vital 1-0 Champions League win away at Paris Saint-Germain.

The Brazil number one is unlikely to be as busy this afternoon, as the Premier League leaders welcome Southampton to Anfield.

01:32 PM GMT

Preview: Liverpool now face three ‘finals’ in eight days

Good afternoon and welcome to the Telegraph’s live clockwatch of the three Premier League matches kicking off at 3pm today.

Liverpool’s imperious charge towards a 20th English top flight title resumes this afternoon at Anfield against bottom side Southampton, with an enormous 58 points separating these two teams at each end of the table before kick-off.

Head coach Arne Slot, in his pre-match press conference stressed the importance of the Premier League leaders not underestimating their lowly opponents and urged the supporters to treat this weekend’s match as a final, before their Champions League second leg against PSG on Tuesday, then followed by their Carabao Cup final clash against Newcastle next Sunday.

The Dutchman said: “I have to convince my players that we play three finals, like I said now a few times, and I’m hoping – and that’s why I every time come up with the word ‘final’ – that I influence our fans a bit as well.

“I’m hoping they will not come into the stadium five minutes before the kick-off, I’m hoping the whole stadium is already completely filled half an hour before kick-off and that these players get the reward for what they did in Paris for working so hard.”

Meanwhile, Southampton travel up to Merseyside, on the back of 12 losses from their last 14 top-flight matches, suffering a pair of 4-0 defeats in their previous two top-flight matches against Brighton and Chelsea respectively.

Visiting manager Ivan Juric will need a miracle to deliver his side from relegation, with 13 points standing between Southampton and Premier League safety with just 11 matches left.

However, the Croatian’s miniscule chances of orchestrating a monumental upset at Anfield are improved by the fact that Adam Lallana, Lesley Ugocukwu and Jan Bednarek will be available for selection, as will centre back Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who returned to first-team action against Chelsea at the end of February.

Brighton welcome Fulham to the Amex Stadium, with both teams turning their attention back to the Premier League after securing their places in the FA Cup quarter finals last weekend.

The home side have never beaten Fulham in the Premier League in nine attempts, losing five and drawing four of these previous encounters, but head coach Fabian Hurzeler has guided his team to five straight wins in all competitions since that crushing 7-0 defeat away at Nottingham Forest last month.

Kaoru Mitoma will be available for Brighton, after the Japanese winger suffered cramp in the team’s 2-1 FA Cup triumph away at Newcastle, but Tariq Lamptey, who was sent off in that match and midfielder Matt O’Riley are both sidelined this afternoon.

Meanwhile, Fulham, under manager Marco Silva require only 11 points from their remaining 11 league matches to surpass the club’s highest Premier League points total in a season, which was the 53 gained by Roy Hodgson’s side in 2008-09.

The west London side, will await to see whether Adama Traore will feature for them in east Sussex after injuring his ankle last Sunday against Manchester United. Midfielder Sasa Lukic will miss the next two Premier League matches for Fulham having accrued 10 yellow cards this campaign while Reiss Nelson, Kenny Tete and Harry Wilson remain sidelined.

Crystal Palace will be without leading scorer Jean-Phillipe Mateta for their home match against Ipswich at Selhurst Park, as the French striker is recovering from being kicked in the head by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts during Palace’s 3-1 FA Cup win last Saturday.

Midfielder Will Hughes will start his two-match suspension for receiving 10 yellow cards this campaign, and Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure are both still sidelined.

Injuries have plagued Ipswich in recent weeks, with Axel Tuanzebe unable to feature in South London this afternoon due to an issue to his hamstring picked up in last Monday’s FA Cup shoot-out defat against Nottingham Forest. Forward Sammie Szmodics is set to undergo ankle surgery, and the Ireland international faces a lengthy spell out of first-team action.

Cameron Burgess, Kalvin Phillips, Omari Hutchinson and Julio Enciso are all being monitored by Ipswich before they are considered fit to return to first-team action, but Wes Burns, Chiedozie Ogbene and Arijanet Muric remain ruled out for selection.