Moving on to Brighton, match facts, the table and video of the day
We lost to Manchester United at Old Trafford and while I was disappointed, I was also a little annoyed and I was a little surprised at feeling that way. Let me be clear, I wasn't annoyed because of anything a player did, but because it was only Manchester United.
I really thought we were going to get through and beat them. I mean, they're not the Manchester United that they were under Sir Alex and there is only an eight point difference in the League.
But there were a few mistakes on the pitch, but I like mistakes because it usually means you're trying to new things and that is needed to get better. For so long we've been quite a slow team but after just two games with our new manager, you can see we are getting faster. It's new to us and we're learning.
But again, I was a little gutted that we lost because I didn't think they were a better side than us and that came down to our approach to the game and it was nice to see.
And you know what, Brighton tomorrow is going to be a bigger test than Manchester United because they're playing some good football at the moment and will have lots of confidence. Manchester United, it felt like they got lucky.
And that is why we shouldn't worry about the League Cup because we're only eight points behind Manchester United and six behind Brighton, who are currently 6th in the table. That's why the focus should be the League this season and why Brighton is a bigger match than Manchester United.
Let it all settle. This season is not over by a long way and we can easily finish in a very interesting position. I'll be back tomorrow when I've recovered.
Match facts from the BBC
Head-to-head
- Brighton's only victory in the past 14 competitive meetings was by 2-1 away in the Premier League two years ago (D5, L8).
- The Seagulls are winless in seven league and cup home fixtures against Aston Villa since a 1-0 top-flight triumph at Goldstone Ground in December 1980.
Brighton & Hove Albion
- Brighton have earned back-to-back wins under Roberto De Zerbi following a run of two draws and three defeats in his first five games.
- They can equal the club Premier League record of three consecutive victories, set in October 2018 under Chris Hughton.
- Albion went into this weekend's fixtures in sixth place; their highest top-flight position on Christmas Day is eighth in 1981-82.
- Their solitary defeat in the past 10 home league games came against Spurs last month.
- Both Brighton and Aston Villa have scored a league-high six goals in the opening 15 minutes of matches this season.
Aston Villa
- Villa are winless in all seven Premier League away fixtures this season, managing only two points and three goals.
- Their only triumph in 12 away league matches was 3-1 at Burnley in May (D3, L8).
- Aston Villa have won two of their past three league games, as many as they had in their previous 15. They're vying to record consecutive top-flight victories for the first time since May.
- Unai Emery won only eight of his 25 Premier League away games as Arsenal manager.
- Both of Emery's previous Premier League meetings against Brighton ended in a 1-1 draw.
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