This was the Seagulls’ Greatest Ever Season… again

When Brighton did so well in the 2021-22 season, I decided to write my first ever book and self-publish via Amazon. This went well and it has been available online since last June, as well as the Amex Superstore selling out their small stock of copies within a couple of weeks before Christmas.

The title of the book was The Seagulls Best Ever Season. This seemed perfect; we all remember what if felt like to watch the Albion finish in their highest ever league position of ninth, without having to worry about the possibility of being relegated.

One year on and it turns out that title was not wise. Because now Roberto De Zerbi has led the Seagulls to an even greater season. Sixth place and Europa League qualification for the first time was an effort which made us all proud of De Zerbi and the players – and made my previous book title untrue.

And so to celebrate the achievements of Brighton in 2022-23, I am pleased to tell you that The Seagulls Best Ever Season Volume 2 is in the pipeline. Fingers crossed, it will be on sale in late July. Watch this space as WAB will be playing a big part in its production.

The Albion being guaranteed sixth place before their visit to Villa Park for the final game of the season meant there was little to play for other than improving the final points tally.

Aston Villa in contrast had to win to ensure a place in the Europa Conference. One therefore expected they would be going hell for leather to keep Spurs out of seventh spot.

As an OAP, I cannot afford to go to all Brighton’s games and so it is Johnny Cantor and Warren Aspinall on BBC Radio Sussex whom I rely upon for commentary whilst watching the live pictures supplied by Sky Sports.

There was a bit of a delay in Sky starting their coverage from Villa Park as the League Two playoff final between Carlisle United and Stockport County went to penalties.

That meant there was no build up to Villa against Brighton. Whilst us fans at home were almost thrown straight into the action, those at Villa Park were rewarded for following the Albion far and wide with a free blue t-shirt.

On the front it read “RDZ Blue & White Army” and on the back were all the season’s away fixtures listed. What a great gesture from the club that was for our fantastic away supporters.

De Zerbi made six changes to the starting XI who had drawn 1-1 with Premier League champions Manchester City on Wednesday night – a game I would go so far as to say Brighton deserved to win.

The most interesting selection was Yasin Ayari, who made his first Premier League start on what was another bright sunny afternoon in Birmingham. There is a song in there somewhere… oh yes, The Kinks 1966. That shows my age, I think.

Both teams entered the pitch to a display of claret and blue colour around the ground and plumes of fire from the side lines. Villa Park was really hotting up in expectation of a win for Unai Emery’s side.

From the moment referee David Coote blew his whistle, the Villains were off. I would call it a twitchy start from the Albion as Villa went in all guns blazing, giving Brighton no chance to settle down.

Jacob Ramsey looked very dangerous down the Villa left. He put in an early cross, finding Leon Bailey for a shot which hit the crossbar. Levi Colwill was alert to clear the rebound and further danger was averted.

It did not take long after that for the hosts to take the lead. Just eight minutes had been played when Ramsey did well again on the left to cut back a pass to Douglas Luiz. In a very composed manner, Luiz slotted past Jason Steele.

Alexis Mac Allister tried to get Brighton immediately back into the game. His brilliant pass slid right through the middle of the Villa defence to put Evan Ferguson away at speed.

Ferguson normally buries such opportunities but alas, it was not to be on this occasion. He got underneath the ball a little too much and it flew over the top of Emiliano Martinez’s goal.

Brighton were showing that they were not going to lie down. Julio Enciso delivered a dangerous cross into the area and Deniz Undav beat Martinez to the ball, turning it over the line.

I was up and out of my seat, those settee springs suffering one last Sunday bashing of the season. But then the VAR box appeared and Enciso was found to be fractionally offside in the build up. The goal was disallowed and the score remained 1-0 to Villa.

The 26th minute saw Mac Allister a little too slow on the ball in midfield. He was dispossessed by John McGinn in what looked to me to be a clear foul.

This led to Villa’s second goal, a slick and fast move in which Ramsey left Adam Webster behind and squared to Ollie Watkins for a simple tap in past the stranded Steele.

Villa must have thought they were cruising into the Europa League at that point but Brighton again rallied after conceding.

Joel Veltman squared to Undav, who played a perfect through ball for Ferguson. Again though, Ferguson could not finish the one-on-one as this time a Villa defender just got a touch to divert the shot behind for a corner.

The corner led to Pascal Gross receiving the ball. He turned left and right, looking around but could not find a blue and white shirt.

Villa were swarming everywhere to prevent the Albion getting a foothold back in the game. It became a little feisty with both sides picking up four yellows; a high total for Brighton, who rarely enter the book so much.

Tyrone Mings chopped down Facundo Buonanotte like a sugar cane and that gave the Albion a free kick just inside the Villa half.

Faithful Gross sent the ball into the box and right on the money, Undav brought it under control so skillfully, using his shoulder before twisting and turning the opposite way to the defender. He then fired left footed into the back of the net.

The celebrations were short lived… or so we thought. The linesman had his flag up for offside but when VAR checked, it was revealed that Undav was actually a whisker onside.

Brighton had one back and VAR had actually worked in the Albion’s favour, for once. The remaining seven minutes of the first half saw the Albion go on the hunt for an equaliser.

Another chance came to Undav, who this time shot at Martinez. It felt like Villa were holding on for the break with the momentum totally switching after Brighton scored.

The second half petered out somewhat as the hosts did all they could to hold on. Mac Allister nearly fired home following a fantastic cross from Pervis Estupinan.

A misplaced pass from Jason Steele then set up Ramsey for an open goal. It was a surprise to see Ramsey miss such an easy chance, what with the afternoon he had been having up to that point.

And so the season finished with a 2-1 defeat, but hey, who cares, we are going to play in the Europa League next season. Villa too achieved their goal, so all in all it was a fair afternoon in Birmingham for both sides.

Finally, a thank you to everyone who had read my articles this season. Please remember to keep an eye out for the new book and see you all in 2023-24.

Will we need The Seagulls Greatest Ever Season Volume 3 come May 2024?

Tony Noble @Noble1844Tony