Brighton & Hove Albion

Former Brighton striker Warren Aspinall insists that "attitude problems" are more to blame for the Seagulls' current form than Fabian Hurzeler.

Defeat by Liverpool in the FA Cup extended Brighton's winless run to six games in all competitions.

If Hurzeler's side, who sit seven points above the relegation zone, want to secure Premier League survival, then Aspinall thinks that some of his players should shift their mentality and work harder.

"Some people have got attitude problems," he told BBC Radio Sussex's podcast Albion Unlimited.

"They think it's just easier to put their hand up and say 'yes, sorry, I've done it again.' It's like a lollipop lady, a lollipop man, crossing the road. It goes up three or four times a game, certain players.

"I won't dig him out because it's his second game, but Harry Howell reacted when the ball went past him and he just dangles his leg for the first goal for Liverpool on Sunday. You have to react quicker, you have to go with your runner.

"They'll punish you. They're running all the time, the opposition - especially the top teams. They never stop running. We need to run more than the opposition. We're not doing that at the moment.

"If they're running 90km, their team - my team, I want them to run 100km. So then we've got an extra man somewhere running, that'll create more problems for the opposition. I'm not seeing that at the moment."

Amid a raft of Premier League manager dismissals, Fabian Hurzeler has come under heat for Brighton's form, the Seagulls having won one Premier League game since November.

But Aspinall says that it is Hurzeler's players who should take responsibility for turning things around.

"People say, 'the manager this, the manager that'. No no - it's not the manager's fault, this, it's the players'," Aspinall said.

"He can take them out, change the formation, change the personnel, try to make it better because some players have the wrong attitude in training, so he's not going to pick them on Saturday, showing him shocking training all week.

"I can hold my hand up because I've been there - bad attitude, concentrating on other things. You don't expect to play.

"He can't make them run another five yards or react quicker. You keep doing that, you come out of the team. You can't carry players. If you start switching off at the wrong times, the good teams will punish you.

"That's what they did on Saturday. It was easy. Liverpool didn't work hard for their first goal."

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Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

There is a feeling of panic coursing through the Premier League right now. Thomas Frank's departure from Spurs was obviously going to happen even if Nottingham Forest dumping Sean Dyche was a less clear call. Poor performances did it for both these bosses but it certainly doesn't help when the fans as a group have given up and let the owners know that they are next in the firing line if they don't act.

‌There is always the thought that this is simply rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic, particularly for Forest but now and again it works. It is a throw of the dice even if the dice is loaded.

‌The odds were very much against Nuno Espirito Santo when he took over from Graham Potter at West Ham, but now it seems to have had merit given the recent upturn in form built on some basic organisation. So it can work, but it is little more than a punt.

‌So, who is the Premier League manager currently in most danger? Amazingly Oliver Glasner is still in situ at Crystal Palace after his previous outbursts, but that could change with a couple more bad results.

‌The big money seems to be on Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler right now, but the style seems set. If you hover too close to the relegation spots, the board panics and the coach is discarded. It is a tough life, except for the small matter of millions of pounds into the manager's back pocket as he walks away, which does limit the sympathy just a little.

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We asked for your views on where you stand on Fabian Hurzeler's future at Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

Chris: I am very strongly pro-Hurzeler. In fact, I believe he is the best manager we have ever had and I go back to Archie Macaulay. Some of the criticism is completely nuts. He is energetic, inventive, passionate, highly intelligent and articulate. I am very proud of his work and dedication. Like many of the players, he is very young (which is a plus) and we are in a highly competitive and highly invested league. Let's be realistic and get behind him and the players. He has my full support and gratitude for what he has achieved. Rome wasn't built in a day.

Frank: The manager has some very, very smart people around him. Younger people do make more mistakes on and off the pitch. Trust the process...

Tony: At the moment, the form is poor, the recruitment has failed, morale is low and the manager is struggling. It's hard to see where the next win, or even the next goal, is coming from, and there were worrying signs after the Crystal Palace game that the manager might have lost the dressing room. Performance levels have since lifted, but that hasn't resulted in a change of fortunes. Let's hope for a few wins soon, then a serious reappraisal of things in the summer.

Jake: There has always been resistance to Hurzeler among some fans, even considering a good season in his first year. What's concerning at present is a prolonged downturn in performances across pretty much the whole team, and a manager whose staple line of defence is to trust the process and just believe things will work out. Overall, I think translating the upcycling model of player recruitment to the manager - insofar as Hurzeler was comparatively unproven against Graham Potter or Roberto de Zerbi when respectively appointed - was perhaps a mistake.

Ian: The issue with Brighton isn't just a coach inexperienced in the Premier League. The main issue is how the club handles recruitment. Selling decent players or loaning them out to such an extent that we have no quality to even be a top 10 contender will not work. We need to retain some of those players and build a strong European football contending team.

On the latest episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited, Brighton defender Jan-Paul van Hecke reviews the FA Cup defeat at Liverpool and former captain Adam Virgo looks at the lack of goals and recent results, and previews the trip to Brentford.

Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Brighton content on BBC Sounds

Listen to every Brighton game live on BBC Radio Sussex, with all the build-up and full commentary with Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall, and there is a full preview of all Seagulls' matches on Fridays at 18:00 in The Weekend Warm-up

Joe Sayers
Fan writer

Togetherness is something our football club has always championed, a value I truly believed ran through the heart of our fanbase.

Right now, though, things on the pitch are far from what we've come to expect in recent seasons, and frustration is growing by the day.

Last Wednesday, after our defeat by Aston Villa, I was asked live on BBC Radio Sussex whether I was among the fans who booed or chanted "sacked in the morning" at the end of the Crystal Palace game. The question stopped me in my tracks and made me think hard about where I really stood.

In that moment, I realised I was neither "Fabian in" nor "Fabian out". I was simply a Brighton fan who wants the best for the club I've loved for years. Managers change and players move on, but the one constant is us, the supporters who turn up, home and away, whatever the weather and whatever the form.

Frustration is understandable. We've been spoilt by brilliant football, smart recruitment and seasons that felt like dreams.

When standards dip, emotions will rightly follow. But turning on our own has never been what we're about. This club was built on patience and belief, and that approach has carried us further than any of us imagined.

There's still so much to play for. Nothing is decided in February and our team needs backing, not battle lines in the stands or on social media.

Our role is a simple one: to support Brighton & Hove Albion, especially when it's uncomfortable and uncertain.

So, I'll be there for the rest of the season and beyond, scarf held high, hoping the Amex can find its voice again.

Where do you stand on Hurzeler's future? And if you think it's time for a change, what direction do you think Albion should go in?

Get in touch with your views here

Find more from Joe Sayers at Albion Obsessed, external

Brighton have made Said El Mala, 19, a summer target and submitted a written offer to Cologne for the Germany Under-21 winger. (Sky Germany), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's FA Cup fourth round game between Liverpool and Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

Liverpool fans

Stuart: A great performance from the two Hungarians. The best game Kerkez has had in a Red shirt. Both him and Szoboszlai were very energetic. Jones performed with versatility. The combined passing and finish for the second goal was incredible. A little bit of the old Salah returned and he deserved the penalty that he rifled home. Finally some of the youngsters could get on the pitch. The only disappointment was Rio's wonderfully struck, disallowed goal!?

Rae: Everything right, and wrong, with Liverpool this season can be seen in this match. Some great goals, individual brilliance, Salah, Szoboszlai. And also some suspect defending, inconsistency. Nonetheless a great win and hopefully more to come.

John: So much has improved recently. Defending has Improved immensely, the midfield and forward play has been more dynamic. Salah has settled down after the African Cup of Nations, so onwards and upwards.

Struan: Important win against Brighton. Kerkez is at last becoming the player we thought we bought. Salah is beginning to return to form. Curtis showed he deserves more game time with his goal and all around performance. Szoboszlai was outstanding again with some superb long passes and a wonderful goal. And another clean sheet, which until recently seemed impossible for Liverpool. Lots of positives. Important we take the FA Cup seriously and give it our best shot.

Brighton fans

Keven: It felt like Hurzeler failed to understand the importance and passion of the FA Cup in this country and to the fans. You are playing one of the top sides, yet you start with no forward pace, no wingers to spread the game, leaving Mitoma, Minteh and Welbeck freezing on the bench, hoping to do a hit-and-run at the death. Kadioglu was once again the best player on the pitch for us, but how long will he continue to give 110% when others around him lack passion and fire in their bellies? I think the club now has to make some hard decisions however painful that may be.

Mark: Please Tony Bloom, end the agony of Hurzeler-ball, I just can't stand any more!

Barry: Brighton once again began brightly, moved the ball well and created opportunities - but the familiar problem remains - we don't take chances and Liverpool did. For a side that looked destined for the top eight not so long ago, the slide is worrying. Confidence appears fragile and the pattern is becoming predictable. Questions will inevitably be asked of Fabian Hurzeler. Chairman Tony Bloom now faces a significant decision about the direction of the club.

Brian: Confidence is installed through the manager. Unfortunately, this isn't happening and most players have lost belief in themselves. Against Liverpool, why start with such an inexperienced front line? Again selection is also a major concern.

Aadam Patel
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Fabian Hurzeler's side have had a torrid time in the past few months, with just one victory in 13 league games.

But they did win at Old Trafford in the FA Cup and initially asked questions of Liverpool early on as they kept the ball and quietened Anfield.

But once the Reds found their rhythm, the lack of confidence in this Brighton side was ruthlessly exposed.

Had they taken their chances and equalised shortly after Jones opened the scoring, this game could have had a different outlook - but Liverpool were clinical while Brighton were not.

After their midweek defeat at Aston Villa, Brighton trained at St George's Park during the week rather than head back to the south coast.

But right now, nothing seems to be working for the Seagulls and these are certainly worrying times for Hurzeler.

"It is very important to see the reality of where we are but also the performances - the last two against tough opponents, we were more than competitive," he said.

"The game could go in another direction. We did a lot of things right but we have to keep working hard. We are not in a good moment. You only come out if you work hard."

His side travel to Brentford on Saturday and the pressure will only grow if they cannot get a result there.

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, speaking to BBC Sport: " We started the game well, controlled the ball and the game changed a little bit when they scored. The goal came out of nowhere. We had two big chances in the first half and we didn't use them. Liverpool were more effective.

"Second half it was the same picture we had a big chance with Lewis and then a two or three minutes after they scored. That was the diffrence, they used their moments and we didn't in the way they did. In the end it is a disappointing result because our fans were great today, they supported us for 90 minutes and they deserved more.

"We can't feel sorry for ourselves, we can't complain about these moments. It is about us and me taking responsibilty and working for it. You have to do the small step right and then we can take a big step.

On the Liverpool penalty: "It is a bad decision. It is just not good enough. It is difficult to speak to them [the officials]."

You can also listen to Hurzeler here on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Brighton have won just two of their last 15 games in all competitions (drawn six, lost seven), losing three on the bounce without scoring for the first time since March 2024.

Also hear what Jan-Paul van Hecke had to say after the game about Brighton "lacking quality" below or on BBC Sounds here

Pundits Ellen White and Shay Given join host Alex Scott to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's FA Cup ties.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Hull City 0-4 Chelsea

• Wrexham 1-0 Ipswich

• Burton Albion 0-1 West Ham

• Manchester City 2-0 Salford City

• Aston Villa 1-3 Newcastle

• Liverpool 3-0 Brighton and Hove Albion

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you learn from Liverpool's display?

Have your say on Brighton's performance

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

There are seven ties in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Burton v West Ham (12:15) - BBC Radio 5 Live & BBC Radio Derby

• Burnley v Mansfield - BBC Radio Lancashire & BBC Radio Nottingham

• Man City v Salford - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3 & BBC Radio Manchester

• Norwich v West Brom - BBC Radio Norfolk & BBC Radio WM

• Port Vale P-P Bristol City

• Southampton v Leicester- BBC Radio Solent & BBC Radio Leicester

• Aston Villa v Newcastle (17:45) - BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra (with second half on BBC Radio 5 Live), BBC Radio WM & BBC Radio Newcastle

• Liverpool v Brighton (20:00) - BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Merseyside & BBC Radio Sussex

Kick-offs 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Burton v West Ham" of "ask BBC Sounds to play Liverpool v Brighton", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

How to follow the FA Cup fourth round on the BBC

Liverpool boss Arne Slot and Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler are both under pressure, but it feels like Hurzeler has the bigger problems to solve.

Brighton are on a poor run and apparently it all got a bit ugly at their home defeat by Crystal Palace on Sunday. The fans seem to have lost faith in him and although that feels harsh to me, when it happens then it it is hard to reverse it.

The Seagulls beat Manchester United away in round three and now Hurzeler could really do with beating Liverpool away too.

I wouldn't put it past them, either, especially with Liverpool struggling to see out games at the moment, but I think Slot's side will just about get over the line.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1 after extra-time, Liverpool to win on penalties.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

Pascal Gross says that Brighton need to "put their heart in" to win over the fans after enduring a five-game winless run.

"They are there all the time and they support us," said Gross on BBC Radio Sussex, after the 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa.

"We need to put an effort in, we need to put our heart in. They need to see, like today, that we fight for the club. It's a tough one. The last three games we conceded very late, and we need to break this run with fighting harder."

Brighton's next game is away to Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday night.

Gross said: "I'm just happy that we are playing in three days. Anfield is a difficult one, and not the easiest draw after Old Trafford away, but we go there to reach the next round."

Listen to the full episode

Subscribe to the Albion Unlimited podcast on BBC Sounds

Paris St-Germain are prepared to rival Premier League clubs Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham with a £100m bid for Brighton's 22-year-old Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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Recently, Liverpool and the Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk said former players-turned-pundits have a responsibility when discussing the performances of the current generation of footballers.

He believes they can stray into "clickbait" and have a possible impact on players' mental health.

On Thursday's episode of the More than the Score podcast, former Scotland international Pat Nevin and chief sports editor for Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf Marcel van der Kraan join John Bennett to discuss and analyse the modern world of punditry and the impact it can have on players and managers alike.

"As a player you do tend to take it to heart, especially when it feels a little personal," said Nevin.

"Generally, it isn't personal and the pundit is just having their opinion and we all kind of know where the lines are. But, the lines have been jumped over more often in recent years and I think Van Dijk is right about that.

"Because of the clickbait, it is so much easier to get more likes, views and work if you're a little bit more extreme. Ex-players aren't stupid and they know that. If you are too sensible and sit on the fence you won't get the big gigs.

"You have a dichotomy. Most ex-players would like to be balanced but they know if they are too balanced and sensible they won't be there next week.

"My criticism would always be constructive criticism which is explained. One-dimensional labeling of players should never happen. Sometimes if a big name says something enough it becomes accepted wisdom."

Van der Kraan added: "There are two different kinds of pundits; those who need to be on every week and those who are genuinely focused on what is right and what players should do.

"For Van Dijk, after so many years enough is enough.

"It all started after he came into the Netherlands team and became a big player at Liverpool. The first ex-player to really criticise him was Marco van Basten, saying he was not a leader. Van Dijk was biting his lip after every match because it became a bit of a stigma.

"Eventually it filtered to England and every time he had a bad game it became an open nerve."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup fourth round game against Liverpool at Anfield (20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Jean Paul van Hecke is OK after returning to action in Wednesday's defeat at Aston Villa and should be available for the trip to Anfield while Mats Wieffer is back in contention after being out since December with a toe injury. Yasin Ayari, however, remains sidelined.

• Reflecting on defeat at Villa Park, Hurzeler said: "We need to focus on the results. The fans deserve results, we all want to get the results we need. But on the other side it's very important to control the controllables and we did that. We did a lot of things right, we controlled small margins, played well, defended well, created chances. We kept the game tight and in the second-half had enough chances to win it."

• On the need for a win: "We all know this game is a game of results. We need a result and I think the club and supporters are waiting for this one result. We are all fighting for this and are convinced if we keep having the performances like we did at Aston Villa we will get the results we all need and we all deserve."

• Does he feel pressure from the club's hierarchy? "No, I feel no pressure. The only pressure I feel is on my own to prepare the team the best I can and to improve them. I always want to be the best version of myself, try to be there for the club, the fans, the team, the staff. I really feel the support from the club. We have daily exchanges and are honest with each other. In these tough times you really see how you support each other and I really feel the support and belief from the club."

• On the players' mentality in a difficult period: "I knew before they had great personalities and characters but the way they have stuck together and behaved throughout the last two or three days is incredible. For them it is not an easy time and it would be easy to point at each other but I didn't see that. That is the main thing that can come out of these situations - togetherness. We all believe we can get get the results we need."

• On James Milner after he equalled the Premier League appearance record: "James always puts the team first. The success of the team is the highest he can achieve. It was a special moment for him but he put the team first and was a role model again. It's a pleasure to work for him and we are all happy for him."

Listen to full live commentary of Liverpool v Brighton on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds from 20:00 GMT on Saturday

Got a question about Brighton? Get in touch here

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The 40-point mark - or thereabouts - could be needed once again to guarantee Premier League survival this term, with an in-form West Ham United attempting to chase down the sides above them.

That mythical number has often been cited as the threshold at which managers, players and fans can relax - but the total has not actually been needed to stay up since 2010-11.

Prior to that the only other occasions clubs were demoted with 40 points or more were 1996-97, 1997-98 and 2002-03.

But could that be about to change?

West Ham, who are 18th in the top flight, are only three points behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, who sacked manager Sean Dyche after Wednesday's goalless draw with Wolves.

While Tottenham - who sacked boss Thomas Frank on Wednesday - are 16th, another two points ahead of Forest.

• Read a full breakdown on the 40-point target

West Ham's current points tally (24) is the most by any side in 18th at this stage of a campaign since 2019-20, when the Hammers recovered to stay up with 39 points.

Leeds also look to have found some momentum with recent wins over Fulham and Forest as well as draws at Everton and Chelsea.

In contrast, Spurs have managed a meagre four points from the previous 27 available to them.

Meanwhile, now managerless Forest have won just two of their past 10 games and fans of Brighton and Crystal Palace may also be looking over their shoulders.

The 14th-placed Seagulls (31 points) are on a dismal run having won just one top-flight game since 30 November.

Palace - who are a place and a point above Brighton - have only tasted victory once since 7 December and most recently let a two-goal lead slip as they lost to struggling Burnley.

That magic 40-point mark could well be needed once more to avoid dropping into the Championship.

We asked for your views after Aston Villa's Premier League win over Brighton.

Here are some of your comments:

Aston Villa fans

Sacha: Not pretty to watch and a lot of misplaced passes, however at the moment with the injuries we have and trying to get back to winning ways at home - three points was all that mattered and a bit of breathing room over the chasing pack!

Johnny: Without Tielemans, Kamara and McGinn - among the best central midfield pack in the division - we look pretty ordinary. Until they return we are just going to have to grind out results.

Paul: We won but not a pleasing performance. Martinez is an amazing shot stopper.

Martyn: Today's performance is another reality check - the fact is our squad just isn't good enough to maintain our lofty position and the big boys are about to take over the top spots. Fifth place is now a realistic target which might be vital to retain the services of Mr Emery.

Brighton fans

David: Every time Brighton make a late substitution the opposition seem to nick the points. Were the substitutions really necessary?

Malcolm: A much better performance by most of the players but still tactically inept and in serious need of a striker who knows where the net is. Serious danger of relegation and need a change in coaching staff now, not at the end of the season. Bring back Roberto de Zerbi.

Joe: A step in the right direction. The recent run of one win in 13 has been awful. A lot of the questions being asked about Hurzeler are valid but this was a performance that inspires some hope he might be able to turn it around. Overall, I felt we were unlucky to come away from the game with nothing.

Oliver: I don't want us to become a team that sacks their manager at the first dry period. I like the team and we're losing/drawing by fine margins. I can still see us finishing top 10.

Brighton defender Olivier Boscagli was speaking to BBC Radio Sussex after their defeat at Aston Villa.

He said: "There are positive things to take. It was a real fight tonight against a really strong team. I think we did great in their stadium, we showed character. In this difficult period we have to keep going and we can't give up.

"There's a lot of things to use for the next game, we don't have a long time to think about it because we have another game in three games.

"That's the reality of this high level in the Premier League, you make one mistake, you conceded one goal. We have to try to erase these mistakes and we'll go to Liverpool with confidence with what we saw tonight, and we'll try to fight again for the next round.

"We are disappointed but there are also a lot of positive things."

Image source, Getty Images

It was 10 November 2002 when 16-year-old James Milner made his first Premier League appearance for Leeds United.

Milner came off the bench to replace Jason Wilcox in a 4-3 win at West Ham.

What else was going on in the world in November 2002?

Number one singles in the UK around that time included "Heaven" by DJ Sammy and Yanou featuring Do and "Unbreakable" by Westlife.

On television, ITV talent show Popstars: The Rivals was approaching its conclusion (whatever happened to One True Voice?) while series two of The Office had just ended - would a tearful David Brent avoid being made redundant from his job at Wernham Hogg?

"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" and "Die Another Day" were released in UK cinemas.

Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford was a month old, while former US Open tennis champion Emma Raducanu was born three days after Milner's senior debut.

James Milner now holds the all-time record for the most Premier League appearances.

The former England international, 40, made his 654th Premier League outing in Wednesday's defeat at former club Aston Villa - which took him past the previous mark set by Gareth Barry.

Milner made his debut for Leeds in November 2002 as a 16-year-old and became the Premier League's youngest-ever goalscorer before the end of that year.

He featured regularly at first-team level from then on, but his time at Elland Road came to an end when Leeds, in deep financial trouble at the time, were relegated from the top flight in 2004.

Image source, Getty Images

Milner was contracted to Newcastle for four years, although he spent the 2005-06 campaign on loan at Aston Villa and nearly joined them full-time in the summer of 2006.

That move to Villa Park would eventually happen in 2008.

Image source, Getty Images

Milner was a key part of a Villa side that narrowly missed out on silverware and Champions League qualification under Martin O'Neill.

He scored the opening goal in Villa's 2010 League Cup final loss to Manchester United.

Image source, Getty Images

Milner moved to Manchester City in the early weeks of the 2010-11 season and won numerous honours during his five seasons with the club, including two Premier League titles and one FA Cup.

Image source, Getty Images

Milner swapped City for Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer of 2015 and spent eight seasons with the Reds.

While at Anfield, he won all three major domestic trophies and the Champions League in 2019.

Milner played more Premier League games for Liverpool (230) than any of the other top-flight clubs he has represented.

Image source, Getty Images

Milner has been with Brighton since 2023, appearing in the Seagulls' first-ever European campaign in 2023-24.

He recently joined a select band of outfield players to have made a Premier League appearance after their 40th birthday and is more than seven years older than his current boss Fabian Hurzeler.

Image source, Getty Images

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton are clearly in a rut - but they are being undone by the fine margins.

One win in 13 Premier League games, falling from fifth to 14th, tells one story - but not the full tale.

They have drawn six of those, beat Burnley and also secured an FA Cup win at Manchester United.

Arsenal, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa - now twice - have beaten them by the odd goal, with Liverpool's 2-0 win the heaviest defeat in this latest run.

Had Emi Martinez not got a fingertip on Ferdi Kadioglu's effort to turn it on to the bar, Brighton would have taken the lead here and left Villa chasing the game.

And it was only Jack Hinshelwood's unfortunate deflection which meant the Seagulls left Villa Park with nothing.

During their home loss to Palace last week, some Brighton fans sung "sacked in the morning" at boss Fabian Hurzeler, which seems implausible after they finished eighth last season and had such a strong start to this term.

Hurzeler has credit in the bank and his side were just a few minutes away from a gutsy, gritty draw against Villa which would have been the least they deserved.

The sliding-doors moments are just opening the wrong way for the Seagulls at present.