Aston Villa 2-1 Brighton: Unai Emery’s side QUALIFY for the Europa Conference League

Aston Villa will play European football for the first time since 2010 after enduring a spirited fightback from Brighton at Villa Park.

Man-of-the-match Jacob Ramsey provided goals for Douglas Luiz and Ollie Watkins in the first 26 minutes to give Villa the win they needed to secure a place in the Conference League, but the visitors made it life awkward when Deniz Undav answered rest shortly before.

Villa’s finish of seventh is remarkable considering they were 16th when manager Unai Emery took over in November and Brighton can also be proud of their seasonal work to finish the season in sixth.

Emery’s unchanged side started like a house on fire, roaring through a packed house at Villa Park against opponents who made six changes.

After four minutes, Jacob Ramsey sped past Alexis Mac Allister on the left and from his pullback, Leon Bailey spun sharply to hit the crossbar.

However, it wasn’t until Villa dominance counted.

Ramsey was the bidder again, taking on Joel Veltman and rolling a pass to Douglas Luiz, who confidently ran past Jason Steele.

It was the second home goal in a row for the Brazilian, voted Villa’s Player of the Season.

Brighton overcame their own slow start to shock Villa after 21 minutes.

A cross from Julio Enciso from the left was stabbed by Undav before a lengthy VAR check found the South American marginally offside in making the assist.

Villa were upset with Matt Cash and Ramsey bringing in bookings, but the addition of a second goal on 26 minutes calmed nerves.

Ramsey, sadly left out of Gareth Southgate’s final England squad, was again a key figure, racing through to Bailey’s pass after Mac Allister lost possession to Brighton in midfield.

As goalkeeper Jason Steele rushed out, Ramsey had the presence of mind to cross the ball for Watkins to tag home.

It was the Villa striker’s 16th goal in an impressive season, but his first in seven games.

Emery was probably surprised why Villa kept the game so open at 2-0.

John McGinn was denied by Steele with a chance to make it 3-0, but then again Cash had to score two goals to keep Ferguson and Undav out, and Ferguson also shot wide.

Undav’s luck changed after 38 minutes when he turned Pascal Gross’ pass from eight yards out. An assistant’s flag ruled the striker offside, but this time a VAR check ruled the goal legitimate.

It was Undav’s fifth goal in eight games for The Seagulls and their manager Roberto De Zerbi strengthened by sending regulars Pervis Estupinan and Moises Caicedo into the break, with Kaoro Mitoma midway through the second half.

The pace remained relentless in a whirling wind. Mac Allister grimaced when his shot was inches wide, but at the other end a stretching Ramsey deflected Bailey’s cross from a few yards when the goal was begging.

Poor referee David Coote struggled to keep up with all the action. After letting a lot of physical things go, he finally felt compelled to book Moises Caicedo, although the Ecuadorian’s tackle looked firm but fair.

Villa fans tried to suck the ball in for a third goal as tension mounted, aware that an equalizer at Brighton would likely hand Tottenham the final European place.

Watkins took the lead well after 76 minutes, but lacked the strength to beat Steele. On the other hand, Mitoma made a huge impression when Mings came along to help Cash avert the danger.

A childhood Villa fan, Ramsey always looked to wreak havoc on the other side too. His low center fizzed over the six-yard box with Watkins just a boot length away from a touch. The home side decided attack was the best form of defense and Lucas Digne was not far off with a 25-yard free kick awarded for a foul on Watkins.