Worrying Aston Villa trend continues but proven partnership restored with Unai Emery under no illusion
Aston Villa dropped two points at home after failing to see out their lead against Brighton on Monday night.
The Seagulls went into the lead in the 12th minute after Simon Adingra picked up the pieces in the box and fired past Emi Martinez. Ollie Watkins then levelled up from the spot before Morgan Rogers scored in successive home matches shortly after the restart in the 47th minute.
But a triple change from Fabian Herzeler changed the game after the hour mark and right-back Tariq Lamptey restored parity in the 82nd minute when he fired the ball past Martinez after finding space in the box.
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Here are the talking points from Villa's draw...
'Not the best or worst' first half of the season
Unai Emery was frustrated Villa were once again unable to see out a win on home turf after previously dropping points late on against Bournemouth in October and failing to beat a struggling Crystal Palace side after the November international break.
Brighton had the chance to climb above Villa in the table last night, but are now winless in their last seven league games. This was very much a case of a missed opportunity for Villa, who had more than enough chances to put the game to bed before shipping a late goal.
They had 20 shots, but only hit the target four times. They were afforded lots of space in transition, though without being clinical, they left their visitors with belief that they could leave Villa Park with a result.
"Maybe a little bit [frustrated] because we played 90 minutes more or less deserving more," Emery told BBC Match of the Day. "We were clinical when creating chances.
"We spoke about this match before and we needed to try to dominate. They are a very good team with keeping possession. We started not 100 per cent in the meeting we had before to face them.
"We reacted very well. We played a fantastic match after the goal. I accept the result and we finish the first part of the season with 29 points, it's not the best but not the worst.
"This league is very tight and we have to try to improve and correct why we are conceding a lot of goals. We started the second half perfectly when scoring goals and creating chances. We created enough chances to score and win the match."
After reflecting on Villa's performance and indeed the first half of the season, Emery ended the press conference with a big: "Happy New Year" and "Up the Villa!"
Opportunity knocks for Mings
Pau Torres left Villa Park on crutches after suffering a suspected metatarsal injury in the first half. He will have a scan today to determine the severity of the injury.
Replaced by Tyrone Mings, Torres was helped down the tunnel with the support of two of Villa's staff members as the centre-back couldn't put any weight on his right leg.
Mings is now expected to have a run in the side, playing at left centre-back. Matty Cash is set to return to the side this weekend against Leicester City, which would bring Ezri Konsa back into his preferred role at centre-back.
Konsa and Mings knows each other's game inside out. Their strong partnership was a key reason why Villa managed to qualify for European football at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.
In the 24 league matches Villa played with Mings and Konsa as a pair under Emery in 2022/23, they conceded 23 goals and kept nine clean sheets.
Clearly, a huge improvement is required from a defensive point of view if Villa are to mount a bid for a top five finish in the second half of the season.
Lamptey's equaliser on Monday meant Villa have now conceded 11 goals in the last 15 minutes of Premier League matches, more than any other side this season. Conceding the amount of goals Villa have been, and especially late on, is proving to be the most frustrating aspect of the season so far.
If Villa can tighten up at the back, there's no doubt they are more than capable of putting a run of form together and climbing the table. Considering the pretty negative outlook many have on the league campaign so far, Villa remain just six points off Chelsea, who were in a title race last week.
How the second half of the season shapes up
Villa have ended the first half of the season in ninth position, but only three points off third ahead of facing relegation-threatened Leicester City at home on Saturday.
Emery's side have the fourth-best home record in the league up to this point in the campaign, but have collected the 13th-most points on the road.
In the second half of the season, they'll play away against six sides who finished the first half of the campaign in the bottom half of the home league table. Those sides are Southampton, Wolves, Crystal Palace, Everton, Manchester United and Brighton.
Games against Bournemouth, Man City, Arsenal and Brentford - who are in the top half of the home league table - are also to come.
On paper, Villa face trickier games at home, with only three matches coming against sides in the bottom half of the away league table. Leicester travel to Villa Park this weekend, while Ipswich and Tottenham - who have won their last two games against Villa by an aggregate score of 8-1 - will also make the trip to B6.
West Ham, Fulham, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Chelsea and title favourites Liverpool make up Villa's home fixtures in the second half of the season.
