Brighton 0-2 Aston Villa: Matty Cash sends Ukraine tribute after scoring in Villa win

Match report and free highlights as Matty Cash and Ollie Watkins score in comfortable Villa victory; Cash was booked after revealing a message to his Poland team-mate Tomasz Kedziora

Saturday 26 February 2022 18:31, UK

Aston Villa broke a run of two straight defeats with a 2-0 victory at Brighton where Matty Cash sent a tribute to a Poland team-mate stuck in Ukraine after scoring.

After back-to-back defeats to Newcastle and Watford, the focus was on Steven Gerrard's team to respond and they got the perfect start when Cash skilfully struck them in front from 25 yards.

During his goal celebration, the full-back lifted his Villa shirt and unveiled a T-shirt, with the message "stay strong bro" to his Poland team-mate Tomasz Kedziora, who is still in Ukraine with his family.

Referee John Brooks responded by booking Cash.

Despite arriving late to the Amex due to traffic issues that delayed the kick-off by 30 minutes, Villa were sharper in the final third and after Phillipe Coutinho was denied by a flying Robert Sanchez save from a 25-yard free-kick, Ollie Watkins wrapped up the points. The striker scored his first goal in seven Premier League games after taking advantage of some lacklustre defending from Joel Veltman.

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It was another limp display from Brighton, who have now lost three on the bounce without scoring and registered just one shot on target in this defeat.

Man of the match: John McGinn

Energy, energy, energy. Where does the midfielder get it from? He was everywhere in this victory for Aston Villa. His performance set the tone for a professional away performance.

Even in stoppage time when the game was won, McGinn was the runner from midfield sprinting forward to support Watkins as Villa successfully rode to victory. No player won more duels or won more possession for Villa than McGinn in this supreme performance. There was also room in his game to provide Villa with an attack threat, too. He was denied in the first half by a top Robert Sanchez save - one of three shots he had at goal.

Analysis: Gerrard gets Villa back to basics

With only one win in their last seven Premier League games, Gerrard had some questions to answer ahead of this fixture as to whether Villa can challenge towards the top end of the table. He answered them as his team were back to what made them so tough to beat in his first few games in charge. Defensively they were outstanding, restricting a usually Brighton team to minimal chances, in a game the away side had full control of from the moment they took the lead.

Brighton, usually so dominant when it comes to expected goals, registered only 0.62 as Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa defended deep but with superb authority. It was Brighton's lowest expected goals return of the season. Gerrard should take great pride in that. He looked pumped up at the final whistle as he celebrated in front of a raucous away end. This was a timely reminder of his abilities as a great organiser and tactician.

"We've been in some sticky form but credit to the players they have stayed focused," Gerrard said.

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Steven Gerrard felt Aston Villa’s 2-0 win away at Brighton was fully deserved and he praised his players for their focus despite kick-off being delayed by 30 minutes due to the Villa bus arriving late because of traffic.

"It's been a positive week. But we had to be patient as there was a crash on the motorway. We remained focused and put on a strong away performance. We owned the pitch out of possession and all our good stuff came on the back of that. We looked the more dangerous team. The game plan worked to a tee."

Gerrard: I'll take responsibility for Cash yellow card

Gerrard has taken responsibility for the yellow card shown to Cash, suggesting Aston Villa missed a message from the Premier League about showcasing tributes on shirts due to their late arrival.

"The yellow card is on us - there is no finger-pointing," Gerrard said.

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Soccer Saturday's Jeff Steeling and Matt Dawson criticise the rule which meant that Matty Cash was shown a yellow card after he showed a message of support for Poland team-mate Tomasz Kedziora, who is in Kiev, after scoring for Aston Villa.

"There was a message that came down [from the Premier League] but due to our late arrival I'm not sure we got it too clear.

"There is no blame on Cashy at all. I should have mentioned before the game to the players but I didn't. So I'm responsible for that yellow card. There's no blame on the Premier League or the player. That's on me."

Potter: Fine margins went against us

Brighton manager Graham Potter:

"The performance was better than the result. The boys put a lot into the game. The goals punished us, with the first one coming against the run of play. We had started well.

"The little moments didn't go for us. Credit to Villa - they defended well - but we should deal with the second goal better. Two actions have cost us. We weren't far away today. We missed that little bit of quality. It just wasn't our day. The margins are small in this league. We didn't get carved open but Villa scored two and sometimes that happens in football."