Ollie Watkins Celebrates 29th Birthday with a Goal and Assist as Aston Villa Draw 2-2 with Brighton in Premier League Clash
Ollie Watkins marked his 29th birthday in style, contributing a goal and an assist, but Aston Villa had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Brighton in a thrilling Premier League showdown.
Brighton extended their winless streak to eight matches, despite taking an early lead in the 12th minute when Simon Adingra delivered a stunning curling strike during a swift counterattack.
Aston Villa’s persistence paid off in the 36th minute after a lengthy VAR review led to a penalty decision. Referee Craig Pawson reviewed the incident pitchside and confirmed Brighton’s Joao Pedro had fouled Morgan Rogers in the box. Moments earlier, Lucas Digne had his low drive saved.
Watkins confidently stepped up to convert the penalty, sending goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen the wrong way and leveling the score. His return to the starting lineup proved impactful.
Villa surged ahead early in the second half, with Watkins delivering a perfectly weighted chip to Rogers, who slotted it into the bottom corner with precision.
However, the home side couldn’t secure all three points. Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey struck an 81st-minute equalizer with a powerful drive past Emiliano Martinez, keeping the game level.
The result keeps Aston Villa ninth in the Premier League standings, just three points shy of fifth place—a spot that could potentially offer Champions League qualification this season. Brighton, with only one win in their last 15 trips to Villa Park, remain 10th in the table.
Line-ups
Aston Villa XI: E. Martinez, Digne, McGinn, Tielemans, Carlos, Watkins, Bailey, P. Torres, Kamara, Ngoyo, Rogers
Subs: R. Olsen, Barkley, Mings, Buendia, Amadou Onana, Maatsen, Jacob Ramsey, Philogene, Kosta Nedeljkovic
Brighton XI: Dunk, Igor, Lamptey, Jan Paul van Hecke, Enciso, Joao Pedro, Verbruggen, Ayari, Adingra, Baleba, Gruda
Subs: Steele, Veltman, March, Jakub Moder, Matt O’Riley, Kaoru Mitoma, Georginio Rutter, Yankuba Minteh, Ruairi McConville