Indeed, a Danny Ings double that day helped Unai Emery claim his second win from his two league games in the managerial dugout after replacing Steven Gerrard as manager in late October.
The former Sevilla and Arsenal boss has noticeably introduced a higher defensive line since assuming control, with Villa catching Manchester United and Brighton offside on three occasions each on their way to gaining crucial victories.
Emery, who won the Europa League with Villarreal before taking the Yellow Submarines to the Champions League semi-final the following season in his previous role, clearly wants to keep his squad attuned to the demands of regular
football, with friendlies against Cardiff City, Brighton, Chelsea and his former side Villarreal all booked in prior to their Premier League match against Liverpool on Boxing Day.
Cardiff ran out surprise 3-1 winners last Wednesday, so the 51-year-old will be hoping for a much better performance and result against the Seagulls in UAE on Thursday.
Brighton, of course, have changed managers themselves this season, too, with former Sassuolo boss Roberto De Zerbi replacing Graham Potter after the Englishman accepted the Chelsea job in early September.
De Zerbi has kept the Seagulls competitive despite mixed results overall, with his new side sitting in seventh position during the break for the World Cup.
Their defeat to Villa last time out was a disappointment having beaten Chelsea and Wolverhampton Wanderers in their previous two league games.
as well as overcoming Premier League leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the EFL Cup – but De Zerbi’s general style of play is undoubtedly easy on the eye.
After being drawn away to Charlton Athletic in their first game back after the World Cup, the 43-year-old may well have his sights set on taking Brighton one step closer to securing their first ever piece of major silverware, before they travel along the South coast to face struggling Southampton on Boxing Day.
Aston Villa will be without their first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who will almost certainly be starting for Argentina against Netherlands in Qatar
on Friday, while Matty Cash and Leander Dendoncker are unlikely to feature until the return of competitive action after their exploits with Poland and Belgium respectively.
