Brighton Receive Major Injury Boost Ahead of Crucial Aston Villa Clash
Brighton and Hove Albion have been handed a significant injury boost as they prepare to face Aston Villa in a Premier League encounter on Wednesday night. Key defender Jan Paul van Hecke is set to return to the squad after recovering from a recent injury, providing a timely lift for the Seagulls.
Van Hecke Returns as Hurzeler Provides Squad Update
Manager Fabian Hurzeler confirmed the positive news regarding van Hecke's availability, stating, "Jan Paul van Hecke will be back in the squad. Mats Wieffer is close but won't be in the squad. Other than that we have no injury concerns." The 25-year-old Dutch international, who has earned eight caps for his country, has been a consistent presence for Brighton since joining from NAC Breda in 2020, making 116 appearances across all competitions and scoring four goals.
Hurzeler's Assessment of Aston Villa Challenge
Looking ahead to the match at Villa Park, Hurzeler acknowledged the quality of the opposition. "They are a team with a clear style of play. They have one of the best managers in the world. They have good individual quality. Good tactical patterns. It's always difficult to go to their stadium to win games," he said. However, the Brighton boss expressed confidence in his team's ability to rise to the occasion, adding, "I think we proved in the past that we enjoy playing against top teams and enjoy these kind of challenges. That's what we want to do tomorrow: to enjoy it, to defend as a team and show great togetherness."
Mounting Pressure on Hurzeler Amidst Poor Form
Brighton's recent struggles have seen them lose 1-0 to rivals Crystal Palace in their last outing, increasing scrutiny on Hurzeler's position. With the threat of being dragged into relegation trouble looming, a defeat against Aston Villa could intensify the pressure further. When questioned about the external expectations, Hurzeler remained focused on internal standards. "I don't really feel pressure from outside. The most pressure I feel is the pressure I put on myself. This is the biggest pressure because I always want the best for the club. I always want the best for the players," he explained.
Hurzeler's Personal Commitment to Brighton
Elaborating on his dedication, the former FC St Pauli manager emphasized his obsessive approach to football. "I always try to come into this training ground and try to be the best version of myself. I try to make the team better, try to improve the staff, try to have good relationships with supporters. I'm obsessed with this sport. I'm obsessed with football. I'm obsessed with thinking about how can I help my team, how I can help my players. So it's a 24-hour job," Hurzeler stated, underscoring his commitment to turning Brighton's fortunes around.
Aston Villa's Current Form and League Position
Aston Villa, managed by Unai Emery, enter the match winless in their last two league games, having drawn 1-1 with AFC Bournemouth in their previous fixture, where attacker Morgan Rogers scored their goal. Currently sitting nine points behind league leaders Arsenal, Villa will be eager to return to winning ways in front of their home supporters at Villa Park, setting the stage for a compelling midweek Premier League contest.
