Aston Villa boss Dean Smith cranks up the pressure on relegation rivals Brighton

Aston Villa manager Dean Smith insists Brighton are a long way from safety as he turned up the heat on Albion in the battle to avoid Premier League relegation
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith issued words of warning for BrightonAston Villa manager Dean Smith issued words of warning for Brighton
Aston Villa manager Dean Smith issued words of warning for Brighton

Brighton eased some relegation anxiety with four points from their last two matches against Arsenal and Leicester.

It leaves Graham Potter's men in in 15th place on 33 points - six points and a healthy goal difference above the bottom three.

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Norwich are adrift at the bottom and look doomed on 21 points while Villa are second from bottom following their 1-1 draw with Newcastle.

Smith's men are on 27 points, the same as West Ham and Bournemouth (27), with goal difference separating the trio.

Watford are next on 28 points but Smith feels Brighton - who have a tough run of fixtures ahead, including Man United, Liverpool and Man City - are far from safe.

"It looks that way at the moment, but you win one game and all of a sudden Brighton are in it again," Smith said after earning a valuable point against Newcastle.

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"Their (Brighton's) four points out of their two games has certainly helped them but they've got a tough run of fixtures.

"That's what all clubs down there are looking to do, is try and drag other teams into it and you only do that by winning games and getting three points.

"I've just looked at the fixtures that we've got to play. You target some more than others and that's what we've been looking to do.

"You set a game plan for each game and just try and win the next one; that's all you can do and see where that takes you."

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Brighton are next in action against Manchester United this Tuesday at the Amex Stadium, while Villa welcome Wolves to this Saturday.

Bournemouth host Newcastle on Wednesday and West Ham welcome Chelsea also on Wednesday. Watford are at Burnley tonight and then at home to Southampton on Sunday.

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