When the fixtures for this season were released, it was a song no one expected to hear on the final day at Villa Park. But as the celebrations began at the sound of the final whistle, supporters of both sides joyously launched into a most unlikely rendition. “We’re all going on a European tour,” they happily sang to one another.
Where Brighton’s first European venture in their 122-year history was assured prior to this match, Villa ensured they will join them on the continent courtesy of this hugely entertaining win. A campaign that initially looked to be dominated by thoughts of the Championship extraordinarily ended with a spot in the Europa Conference League – a first European involvement since 2010.
Named on the Premier Leaguemanager of the season shortlist this month, few bosses have had as unexpected an impact as Unai Emery, who took charge of a club languishing in the bottom five in November and bracing themselves for a long relegation fight. That he turned the campaign into one that yielded European qualification is staggering. To do so with almost entirely the same playing squad as his predecessor, Steven Gerrard, makes it even more remarkable.
In the likes of Jacob Ramsey, Tyrone Mings, John McGinn and Ollie Watkins, Emery has inspired repeated brilliance at Villa Park since taking the reins and all four men were pillars at the heart of this triumph.
Local boy Ramsey is living out his childhood dreams at the club he has supported all his life and his 22nd birthday celebrations on Sunday could not have been more joyous. He proved a constant nuisance and created both early Villa goals to kickstart this final-day party.
So scared were the Brighton defence of the Lionel Messi-like aura Ramsey seemed to emit that they habitually stood off the birthday boy when he was in possession. All facets of his game were on display. If his wonderful poise was to thank when holding off his defender and expertly picking out Douglas Luiz for the opener, the second was all about his pace.
With Brighton short at the back after a pickpocket turnover on halfway, Ramsey burst behind the defence and unselfishly passed for the England-ignored striker Watkins to tap into a vacant net.
The only thing missing from Ramsey’s performance was a goal of his own – a gap left unfilled by an astonishing miss 10 minutes into the second half when he somehow turned the ball over an empty goal from three yards out. Even as nerves jangled with Tottenham on track for victory at Leeds, Villa continued to threaten, repeatedly laying siege on Jason Steele’s goal right until the death, albeit without joy.
A much-altered Brighton side certainly played their part in a match played at breakneck speed. The visitors thought they had an early equaliser only for Julio Enciso – whose pinpoint cross had been turned in by Deniz Undav – to be ruled out by the video assistant referee for the closest of offsides.
Yet where that decision gave the Villa fans some delayed gratification, Brighton soon had a belated celebration of their own when the assistant referee was again at fault, wrongly judging Undav offside after the German had fired past Emiliano Martínez with half-time approaching. Again, the VAR had the final say, ruling that although three Brighton players had been standing offside when the initial free-kick was delivered, Undav was not one of them. Defeat did not dampen the spirits of the travelling fans, who have enjoyed a phenomenal season.