First game for Gerrard, 100th game for Potter: Villa 2-0 Brighton photos
Steven Gerrard’s first game in charge of Aston Villa and Graham Potter’s 100th game in charge of Brighton – it is little wonder that we had so many photos sent in of such an historic occasion, even if the Albion did end the day with a disappointing 2-0 defeat.
It might not have finished that way had Potter not chosen to mark his century with a curious starting XI and some bizarre substitutions.
Despite playing against opponents who had lost their previous five games in a row, Potter opted to go with Leandro Trossard as a false nine and no recognised centre forward at Villa Park.
When he belatedly did decide to throw on a striker in Neal Maupay, it was after he had removed Tariq Lamptey and Marc Cucurella. Maupay entered proceedings when the Albion’s two most dangers attacking players where off the pitch. Work that one out.
The game appeared to be meandering towards a 0-0 draw when Lamptey took his bow with 11 minutes remaining. Without Terrific Tariq pinning Villa back, the hosts managed to score twice in the final six minutes through Ollie Watkins and Tyrone Mings to get the Gerrard era off to a flying start.
We should probably not have been surprised. Brighton have a terrible record at Villa Park, having won their only once in their 120 year history.
Combine the Albion’s dislike of this corner of the West Midlands with Potter’s off-colour decision making and Villa being the recipients of a new manager bounce and the defeat suffered suddenly seems inevitable.
Still, it was an improvement on the last time Brighton met Gerrard nearly a decade ago now. You surely haven’t forgotten Liverpool 6-1 Brighton, have you?
If you have any photos you would like included our Aston Villa 2-0 Brighton gallery, please e-mail them to wearebrighton@hotmail.co.uk or tweet them to us @wearebrighton
