Aston Villa’s bid to secure another UEFA Champions League campaign through a top-four Premier League finish received a timely lift as a late Jack Hinshelwood own goal handed them a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion at Villa Park. The defeat leaves the Seagulls with just one win from their last 13 league matches.

With Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea all circling in pursuit, Unai Emery’s side were in need of both a performance and three points. Yet despite facing a Brighton team low on confidence — having won only once in their previous 12 top-flight outings — the first half failed to ignite.

Villa enjoyed promising moments in advanced areas but struggled to truly test Bart Verbruggen. Their best opening came when Morgan Rogers drove at goal from a tight angle, only to see his effort comfortably dealt with by the Dutch goalkeeper.

The contest did, however, produce a landmark moment before the break. Former Villa midfielder James Milner was introduced early on for the booked Carlos Baleba, making his 653rd Premier League appearance and drawing level with Gareth Barry’s all-time record.

Brighton emerged from the interval with greater attacking intent. Just before the hour mark, they came within inches of breaking the deadlock as Emiliano Martínez produced a superb fingertip save to divert Ferdi Kadıoğlu’s fierce strike onto the crossbar.

Both managers looked to their benches in search of a breakthrough, but clear-cut opportunities remained scarce. Villa controlled more of the possession in the closing stages, though Brighton’s defensive structure held firm as the clock ticked down.

Just when it seemed the points would be shared, Villa found their decisive moment inside the final five minutes. Tyrone Mings flicked on a delivery into the box, and the ball took a decisive deflection off Hinshelwood, wrong-footing Verbruggen and finding its way into the net. The Holte End erupted, unconcerned by the element of fortune involved.

Brighton pressed forward desperately in search of an equaliser, but Villa stood firm to secure a crucial victory.

The result moves Emery’s men to within five points of leaders Arsenal ahead of the Gunners’ meeting with Brentford, and perhaps more significantly, six points clear of fifth-placed Chelsea. Brighton, meanwhile, remain seven points above the relegation zone, their alarming slide in form showing little sign of immediate improvement.