TARIQ LAMPTEY salvaged a point for the Seagulls with a stunning late strike to spoil Ollie Watkins 29th birthday bash!. But once again VAR was the big talking point and ref Craig Pawson seemed as confused as the fans!. The match official courted controversy when he ignored two Villa penalty claims - only for VAR to step in and side with him on one but not the other.
![[Simon Adingra curled in Brighton's opener after 12 minutes]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/088dd804-16c5-43a2-a54b-9d11e748446b.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
It all amounted to a muddle with the man in the middle as Watkins scored from the spot kick his team were awarded, to cancel out Simon Adingra's early opener. Morgan Rogers then fired Villa in front before Lamptey had the last word on a ight of controversy.
![[Ollie Watkins levelled from the penalty spot]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-aston-villas-ollie-watkins-960635180.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
This affair was fast, furious and had a flurry of bookings and controversy. It all started with a bang - when Joao Pedro clashed heads with Boubacar Kamara - and the game was held up for four minutes while his split eye was patched up. The Seagulls striker returned, resembling Rab C. Nesbitt and the slapstick continued as Unai Emery hit the deck rushing to retrieve the ball at a throw-in!.
![[Morgan Rogers completed the turnaround for the home side]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/85f3c8ed-fe72-4c75-bc4d-d11dfcbf7b16.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Everywhere you looked bodies were crashing into each other and hitting the turf. But it was Brighton who landed the first real blow after 12 minutes. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS. Lewis Dunk's long ball out of defence wasn't dealt with by Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres who were outmuscled by Joao Pedro.
![[Tariq Lamptey struck late on to earn a point for the visitors]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2024-brighton-hove-albions-tariq-960642514.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The ball fell to Simon Adingra who chopped inside onto his right foot and curled a beauty beyond Emi Martinez into the far corner from the edge of the box. Villa's night got worse when Pau Torres hobbled off after damaging his right ankle and was replaced by Tyrone Mings.
![[Villa controlled the majority of the match but Brighton came on strong late on]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/image_7027e7.png?strip=all&w=960)
