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This has been the most damaging week of Aston Villa's season. A shock home defeat to Olympiakos followed by a tired defeat at Brighton has put their league and European ambitions in severe jeopardy.
Joao Pedro’s late goal was the difference in the scoreline but the difference in performances was start with Roberto De Zerbi’s side fully deserving of victory.
The goal, scored on the rebound after the excellent Robin Olsen had saved the initial effort, was the first Brighton have scored since Danny Welbeck’s strike at Anfield on March 31st.
Victory here would have all but assured Villa’s return to elite European Competition for the first time in 42 years when Peter Withe’s shin was enough to beat Bayern Munich 1-0 in the European Cup Final.
But their place remains in doubt, as does this season’s run in the Europa Conference League, following a 2-4 home defeat to Olympiakos in the first leg of the Semi-Fina. Emery made only two changes to that team for the trip to East Sussex, with Pau Torres and Diego Carlos returning to the starting line up, a decision he may now be regretting.
Brighton's Pascal Gross had a goal ruled out for offside as his team beat Aston Villa
Gross thought he had put Brighton in front but the goal was disallowed after a VAR check
It meant that Emery was still without the injured Emi Martinez so Olsen deputised once more as Emery admitted “it’s not easy to replace the best goalkeeper in the world.” Olsen though, was the best performer in a disappointing Villa display.
A first-ever qualification for the Champions League would do
