Another excellent save from Robin Olsen after Joao Pedro broke through.

Came out well to smother the angle. Konsa and Cash sharing a few words after a sloppy bit of play before that. #AVFC

Douglas Luiz has been much better today. Is driving #AVFC upfield and towards the away end. Now just need that telling quality

Leon Bailey has taken off his underlayer, so let us hope it brings renewed energy... #AVFC

If it stays like this, wonder if Tim Iroegbunam - fresh, wanting to prove a point and allowing McGinn further forward - could come on.

Or, alternatively, the havoc Jhon Duran could bring. Something a little zany always wakes up a side. #AVFC

HT: Brighton 0-0 #AVFC

A drab affair. A game of cat & mouse tactically but two teams (one fatigued, the other low on confidence) with lots of errors. Watkins is trying to isolate Brighton's CBs and looks a possible route, but Villa will need to muster up all the energy possible

Terrific save from Robin Olsen to deny Pascal Gross. He ran off Leon Bailey, who is looking knackered.

Considering the injury before that, that's great from Olsen. #AVFC

Stretching out his left shoulder now.

Robin Olsen gets a wack on the face after a really good intervention. Joe Gauci is out to warm up. #AVFC

Should have put the other game on Sky. #AVFC

Morgan Rogers has just come back out with his coat on and taken a seat on the bench. #AVFC

Emery is trying to gee up his side but a few - such as Leon Bailey who is running and breathing heavily - seem to appear leggy.

Emery's asking Watkins to take Webster into the left channel. #AVFC

So, with Matty Cash coming on - Moussa Diaby returns to a more familiar position of next to Watkins, with Cash wide on the right. Bailey on the left.

Emery effectively without all his proper No 10s. #AVFC

Matty Cash will replace Morgan Rogers, who has been stretching out his left leg but to no success.

#AVFC could do with Nicolo Zaniolo..., but another injury concern.

Morgan Rogers has gone down off the ball.

#AVFC aren't taking the bait in pressing - McGinn is instead following Brighton's striker, Joao Pedro.

Nothing better than John McGinn shielding the ball (maybe an Ezri Konsa corner flag foul).
#AVFC

Emery puts his thumbs up as Pau plays over the top and Verbuggen comes out to clear. Diaby, Rogers, Watkins and Bailey all offering to feet (dragging Brighton players with them), before spinning in behind. It is why Pau (holding onto the ball, inviting pressure) is so key. #AVFC

How Emery & De Zerbi build-up means their strikers (Watkins, Pedro and Welbeck) drop into deep areas.

Both are trying to coax the other into pressing before playing through/over) the space behind the initial phases of pressure. Brighton have threatened through Adingra. #AVFC

'The s*its are going down' sing the Villa away end.

#AVFC

Interesting setup from Emery. Rogers playing off Watkins with two out-an-out wingers - Bailey and Diaby on either flank.

Diaby is on the left - asked Emery about this a few months ago and said he was 'practising with him' there for certain situations later in the season. #AVFC

Nassef Sawiris is here with Damian Vidagany - having a chat with the officials and lots of smiles.

#AVFC 's co-owner could be in for a (potentially) special and proud day.