It's in the title, I'm happy. I'm going to spend today sitting on the sofa, checking emails and getting those things done that I think I subconsciously decided I was going to do today. And at kick off of Everton and West Ham, I'll have a beer, open a bag of dry roasted nuts and kick back. And no doubt the wife is going to get annoyed.
I'm going to then decide if I get the new Pixelbook Go or the new Surface 3 Laptop. You all know I had my MacBook Pro stolen and truth is, I've had enough of Apple so I need to change and with all these coming out at this time, I've decided to wait and instead survive with an old MacBook Air from the office. But do I go Microsoft or Google and if Microsoft, are there better options? Your help in the comments would be appreciated.
But today is about Brighton and as I wrote the other day, at the end of play today we could be above Manchester United and Spurs and a win today would also have us all feeling very confident about how things are panning out. You see, last time out was quite special.
But Brighton are above us in the table and while we all fancy this is something we should win, most of that feeling is coming from the last match. And that last match was a long time ago and a lot has happened. That's why if we do win and win like we all believe we can, it will feel special.
The starting eleven is going to be interesting and I think also an indication of how the manager is thinking. For me, Luiz has to start, other than that I think the team that started last time out is how we should be starting. But I also feel a little bit for Hourihane, he did nothing wrong. But I'm trying to think long term. I'm also hoping to see Wesley continue in the same form, that will really be the icing on the cake for me.
And on that, I need to get the lawnmower in the garage, the snow is coming soon and we can't have it sitting out when that happens and I need to be back in time for the first match. Until then, enjoy the facts from the BBC, if you have any suggestions on new laptop leave in the comments and I'd also be interested to know thoughts on starting eleven, have I got it right?
Dean Smith interview
Match facts from the BBC
Head-to-head
- Aston Villa are unbeaten at home to Brighton in all competitions, with eight wins and three draws in 11 meetings.
- This is the first top-flight encounter between the sides since a goalless draw at Brighton's Goldstone Ground in March 1983.
- They met at the Amex Stadium last month in the League Cup third round, with Aston Villa winning 3-1 against a youthful home side.
Aston Villa
- Villa are looking to secure back-to-back Premier League victories for the first time since May 2015.
- They have scored twice or more in three consecutive Premier League matches for the first time since April 2010. They last did so in four in a row in April 2008.
- Dean Smith's side have only conceded a goal before half time in one of their eight league fixtures this season. That was at home to Bournemouth, who scored twice inside 12 minutes.
- However, Villa have conceded a league-high six goals after the 75th minute of games and dropped eight points from winning positions.
- Wesley has scored four goals in his last six league appearances.
- Anwar El Ghazi has scored or set up a goal in three consecutive league matches for the first time with Villa. He has provided eight league assists in 2019, more than any other player at the club.
Brighton & Hove Albion
- The Seagulls earned only their second league win in 17 attempts by beating Tottenham 3-0 last time out.
- Albion have failed to score in six of their past eight Premier League away games, and in 23 of 42 since they were promoted. That ratio of 55% is the highest among teams to have played in more than two full Premier League seasons.
- They are winless in all five Premier League away fixtures against promoted opposition (D2, L3).
- Brighton could keep consecutive Premier League clean sheets for the first time since a three-match streak a year ago.
- Neal Maupay scored in both of Brentford's Championship fixtures against Aston Villa last season. He managed 22 goals in 52 league appearances for Brentford under Dean Smith in 2017 and 2018.