17’
Goals from Matty Cash and Ollie Watkins returned Aston Villa to winning ways with a 2-0 victory at Brighton & Hove Albion.
The opener came on 17 minutes when Cash smashed in from the edge of the box after Lucas Digne's cross had not been properly cleared.
Brighton came close to equalising five minutes later but Alexis Mac Allister's first-time effort clipped the bar. At the other end, Robert Sanchez superbly saved Philippe Coutinho's free-kick.
The Brighton 'keeper could not stop Watkins from breaking a seven-match goal drought as Tyrone Mings' brilliant ball in behind allowed the striker to slot home on 68 minutes for his first goal since December.
Despite Brighton dominating possession they had only one shot on target, with Danny Welbeck and Neal Maupay missing their best chances.
Villa go above Leicester into 12th on 30 points, three behind 10th-placed Brighton with a match in hand.
See: Brighton report | Villa report
Next fixtures
Brighton: 5 Mar v Newcastle (A)
Aston Villa: 5 Mar v Southampton (H)
Match officials
Referee: John Brooks. Assistants: Neil Davies, Matthew Wilkes. Fourth official: David Coote. VAR: Michael Oliver. Assistant VAR: Scott Ledger.
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