Martinez’s Heroics Help Villa Earn a Point 

Brighton were left frustrated as they had to settle for a goalless home draw against Aston Villa despite creating a multitude of good chances.

Graham Potter’s side recorded more shots – 26 in total – than they have ever managed before in a single Premier League match.

Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez starred, denying Alexis Mac Allister, Dan Burn and Joel Veltman with fine saves.

Brighton also extend their unbeaten run to six matches in the league.

Villa sit eighth in the table, level on points with Tottenham and just four points off fourth-placed Liverpool having played two games fewer.

Brighton went into this match in top form, having beaten Liverpool at Anfield and drawn with Burnley at Turf Moor earlier this month.

They started on top at the Amex too – dominating possession and utilising space on the right as Veltman was able to test the Villa defence with several dangerous crosses.

Neal Maupay spurned a chance and Mac Allister came close with a header, before Villa eventually created a half-chance of their own when Douglas Luiz’s shot was deflected wide on 18 minutes.

The visitors did have a bright spell midway through the opening half but Brighton were the better team and Burn’s header would have given them a deserved lead were it not for the agility of Martinez to push it around the post with his fingertips.

Brighton had 12 shots in the first half, and only Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier (52) has been forced into more saves in away league games this season than Villa’s Martinez (47), who had to make nine here. 

But as the game wore on, Brighton’s frustrations grew and Martinez became even harder to beat. 

Mac Allister, Veltman and substitute Danny Welbeck all came close again while Leandro Trossard also fired wide but Brighton had to settle for a draw which leaves them in 15th place, though a comfortable 11 points clear of the relegation zone.

credit: BBC Sport