Paris St-Germain are prepared to rival Premier League clubs Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham with a £100m bid for Brighton's 22-year-old Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesRecently, Liverpool and the Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk said former players-turned-pundits have a responsibility when discussing the performances of the current generation of footballers.
He believes they can stray into "clickbait" and have a possible impact on players' mental health.
On Thursday's episode of the More than the Score podcast, former Scotland international Pat Nevin and chief sports editor for Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf Marcel van der Kraan join John Bennett to discuss and analyse the modern world of punditry and the impact it can have on players and managers alike.
"As a player you do tend to take it to heart, especially when it feels a little personal," said Nevin.
"Generally, it isn't personal and the pundit is just having their opinion and we all kind of know where the lines are. But, the lines have been jumped over more often in recent years and I think Van Dijk is right about that.
"Because of the clickbait, it is so much easier to get more likes, views and work if you're a little bit more extreme. Ex-players aren't stupid and they know that. If you are too sensible and sit on the fence you won't get the big gigs.
"You have a dichotomy. Most ex-players would like to be balanced but they know if they are too balanced and sensible they won't be there next week.
"My criticism would always be constructive criticism which is explained. One-dimensional labeling of players should never happen. Sometimes if a big name says something enough it becomes accepted wisdom."
Van der Kraan added: "There are two different kinds of pundits; those who need to be on every week and those who are genuinely focused on what is right and what players should do.
"For Van Dijk, after so many years enough is enough.
"It all started after he came into the Netherlands team and became a big player at Liverpool. The first ex-player to really criticise him was Marco van Basten, saying he was not a leader. Van Dijk was biting his lip after every match because it became a bit of a stigma.
"Eventually it filtered to England and every time he had a bad game it became an open nerve."
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup fourth round game against Liverpool at Anfield (20:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Jean Paul van Hecke is OK after returning to action in Wednesday's defeat at Aston Villa and should be available for the trip to Anfield while Mats Wieffer is back in contention after being out since December with a toe injury. Yasin Ayari, however, remains sidelined.
Reflecting on defeat at Villa Park, Hurzeler said: "We need to focus on the results. The fans deserve results, we all want to get the results we need. But on the other side it's very important to control the controllables and we did that. We did a lot of things right, we controlled small margins, played well, defended well, created chances. We kept the game tight and in the second-half had enough chances to win it."
On the need for a win: "We all know this game is a game of results. We need a result and I think the club and supporters are waiting for this one result. We are all fighting for this and are convinced if we keep having the performances like we did at Aston Villa we will get the results we all need and we all deserve."
Does he feel pressure from the club's hierarchy? "No, I feel no pressure. The only pressure I feel is on my own to prepare the team the best I can and to improve them. I always want to be the best version of myself, try to be there for the club, the fans, the team, the staff. I really feel the support from the club. We have daily exchanges and are honest with each other. In these tough times you really see how you support each other and I really feel the support and belief from the club."
On the players' mentality in a difficult period: "I knew before they had great personalities and characters but the way they have stuck together and behaved throughout the last two or three days is incredible. For them it is not an easy time and it would be easy to point at each other but I didn't see that. That is the main thing that can come out of these situations - togetherness. We all believe we can get get the results we need."
On James Milner after he equalled the Premier League appearance record: "James always puts the team first. The success of the team is the highest he can achieve. It was a special moment for him but he put the team first and was a role model again. It's a pleasure to work for him and we are all happy for him."
Got a question about Brighton? Get in touch here
Image source, Getty ImagesThe 40-point mark - or thereabouts - could be needed once again to guarantee Premier League survival this term, with an in-form West Ham United attempting to chase down the sides above them.
That mythical number has often been cited as the threshold at which managers, players and fans can relax - but the total has not actually been needed to stay up since 2010-11.
Prior to that the only other occasions clubs were demoted with 40 points or more were 1996-97, 1997-98 and 2002-03.
But could that be about to change?
West Ham, who are 18th in the top flight, are only three points behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, who sacked manager Sean Dyche after Wednesday's goalless draw with Wolves.
While Tottenham - who sacked boss Thomas Frank on Wednesday - are 16th, another two points ahead of Forest.
West Ham's current points tally (24) is the most by any side in 18th at this stage of a campaign since 2019-20, when the Hammers recovered to stay up with 39 points.
Leeds also look to have found some momentum with recent wins over Fulham and Forest as well as draws at Everton and Chelsea.
In contrast, Spurs have managed a meagre four points from the previous 27 available to them.
Meanwhile, now managerless Forest have won just two of their past 10 games and fans of Brighton and Crystal Palace may also be looking over their shoulders.
The 14th-placed Seagulls (31 points) are on a dismal run having won just one top-flight game since 30 November.
Palace - who are a place and a point above Brighton - have only tasted victory once since 7 December and most recently let a two-goal lead slip as they lost to struggling Burnley.
That magic 40-point mark could well be needed once more to avoid dropping into the Championship.
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We asked for your views after Aston Villa's Premier League win over Brighton.
Here are some of your comments:
Aston Villa fans
Sacha: Not pretty to watch and a lot of misplaced passes, however at the moment with the injuries we have and trying to get back to winning ways at home - three points was all that mattered and a bit of breathing room over the chasing pack!
Johnny: Without Tielemans, Kamara and McGinn - among the best central midfield pack in the division - we look pretty ordinary. Until they return we are just going to have to grind out results.
Paul: We won but not a pleasing performance. Martinez is an amazing shot stopper.
Martyn: Today's performance is another reality check - the fact is our squad just isn't good enough to maintain our lofty position and the big boys are about to take over the top spots. Fifth place is now a realistic target which might be vital to retain the services of Mr Emery.
Brighton fans
David: Every time Brighton make a late substitution the opposition seem to nick the points. Were the substitutions really necessary?
Malcolm: A much better performance by most of the players but still tactically inept and in serious need of a striker who knows where the net is. Serious danger of relegation and need a change in coaching staff now, not at the end of the season. Bring back Roberto de Zerbi.
Joe: A step in the right direction. The recent run of one win in 13 has been awful. A lot of the questions being asked about Hurzeler are valid but this was a performance that inspires some hope he might be able to turn it around. Overall, I felt we were unlucky to come away from the game with nothing.
Oliver: I don't want us to become a team that sacks their manager at the first dry period. I like the team and we're losing/drawing by fine margins. I can still see us finishing top 10.
Brighton defender Olivier Boscagli was speaking to BBC Radio Sussex after their defeat at Aston Villa.
He said: "There are positive things to take. It was a real fight tonight against a really strong team. I think we did great in their stadium, we showed character. In this difficult period we have to keep going and we can't give up.
"There's a lot of things to use for the next game, we don't have a long time to think about it because we have another game in three games.
"That's the reality of this high level in the Premier League, you make one mistake, you conceded one goal. We have to try to erase these mistakes and we'll go to Liverpool with confidence with what we saw tonight, and we'll try to fight again for the next round.
"We are disappointed but there are also a lot of positive things."
Boscagli: 'It was a real fight against a strong team'
Image source, Getty ImagesIt was 10 November 2002 when 16-year-old James Milner made his first Premier League appearance for Leeds United.
Milner came off the bench to replace Jason Wilcox in a 4-3 win at West Ham.
What else was going on in the world in November 2002?
Number one singles in the UK around that time included "Heaven" by DJ Sammy and Yanou featuring Do and "Unbreakable" by Westlife.
On television, ITV talent show Popstars: The Rivals was approaching its conclusion (whatever happened to One True Voice?) while series two of The Office had just ended - would a tearful David Brent avoid being made redundant from his job at Wernham Hogg?
"Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" and "Die Another Day" were released in UK cinemas.
Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford was a month old, while former US Open tennis champion Emma Raducanu was born three days after Milner's senior debut.
James Milner now holds the all-time record for the most Premier League appearances.
The former England international, 40, made his 654th Premier League outing in Wednesday's defeat at former club Aston Villa - which took him past the previous mark set by Gareth Barry.
Milner made his debut for Leeds in November 2002 as a 16-year-old and became the Premier League's youngest-ever goalscorer before the end of that year.
He featured regularly at first-team level from then on, but his time at Elland Road came to an end when Leeds, in deep financial trouble at the time, were relegated from the top flight in 2004.
Image source, Getty ImagesMilner was contracted to Newcastle for four years, although he spent the 2005-06 campaign on loan at Aston Villa and nearly joined them full-time in the summer of 2006.
That move to Villa Park would eventually happen in 2008.
Image source, Getty ImagesMilner was a key part of a Villa side that narrowly missed out on silverware and Champions League qualification under Martin O'Neill.
He scored the opening goal in Villa's 2010 League Cup final loss to Manchester United.
Image source, Getty ImagesMilner moved to Manchester City in the early weeks of the 2010-11 season and won numerous honours during his five seasons with the club, including two Premier League titles and one FA Cup.
Image source, Getty ImagesMilner swapped City for Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer of 2015 and spent eight seasons with the Reds.
While at Anfield, he won all three major domestic trophies and the Champions League in 2019.
Milner played more Premier League games for Liverpool (230) than any of the other top-flight clubs he has represented.
Image source, Getty ImagesMilner has been with Brighton since 2023, appearing in the Seagulls' first-ever European campaign in 2023-24.
He recently joined a select band of outfield players to have made a Premier League appearance after their 40th birthday and is more than seven years older than his current boss Fabian Hurzeler.
Image source, Getty ImagesNick Mashiter
Football reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton are clearly in a rut - but they are being undone by the fine margins.
One win in 13 Premier League games, falling from fifth to 14th, tells one story - but not the full tale.
They have drawn six of those, beat Burnley and also secured an FA Cup win at Manchester United.
Arsenal, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Aston Villa - now twice - have beaten them by the odd goal, with Liverpool's 2-0 win the heaviest defeat in this latest run.
Had Emi Martinez not got a fingertip on Ferdi Kadioglu's effort to turn it on to the bar, Brighton would have taken the lead here and left Villa chasing the game.
And it was only Jack Hinshelwood's unfortunate deflection which meant the Seagulls left Villa Park with nothing.
During their home loss to Palace last week, some Brighton fans sung "sacked in the morning" at boss Fabian Hurzeler, which seems implausible after they finished eighth last season and had such a strong start to this term.
Hurzeler has credit in the bank and his side were just a few minutes away from a gutsy, gritty draw against Villa which would have been the least they deserved.
The sliding-doors moments are just opening the wrong way for the Seagulls at present.
Bayern Munich are targeting a move for Brighton's 23-year-old goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen in the summer. (Talksport), external
Chelsea are set to rival Bayern for Verbruggen and will match Brighton's £50m valuation for the Netherlands international. (Teamtalk), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Pundits Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Somers to bring you the action and talking points from Tuesday's and Wednesday's Premier League fixtures.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "I learned a lot about the group in the last days, about their character and how they stick together.
"We showed a good performance and a performance that definitely deserved more than we got today.
"In the end we can't blame luck and we have to take responsibility.
"I was very pleased with how our supporters supported us for 90 minuted. They definitely deserved more today and therefore we apologise and I apologise but we have to keep pushing and trying to get the results we deserve in the next games."
Did you know?
Brighton and have won just one of their last 13 Premier League games (D6 L6). Since the start of that run in December, only Burnley (8) and Wolves (7) have picked up fewer points than the Seagulls (9).
No team have scored more own goals in the Premier League so far this season than the Seagulls, with four as many as they leaked in the previous two seasons combined (2 in both 2023-24 and 2024-25).
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Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Aston Villa's performance
What did you make of Brighton's display?
Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies
Matty Cash misses out with a knee injury as Unai Emery makes two changes for Aston Villa.
Lamare Bogarde comes in at right back for Cash while Ian Maatsen also starts at left-back as Lucas Digne drops to the bench.
Ollie Watkins starts ahead of Tammy Abraham, who is on the bench, while Harvey Elliott is again left out but winger Alysson is in the squad for the first time since arriving from Gremio.
Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Bogarde, Mings, Konsa, Maatsen, Onana, Luiz, Sancho, Buendia, Rogers, Watkins
Subs: Bizot, Wright, Lindelof, Digne, Torres, Barkley, Bailey, Abraham, Alysson
Image source, Premier LeagueBrighton boss Fabian Hurzeler makes five changes from the 1-0 defeat to Crystal Palace.
The Seagulls have won just once in the last 12 Premier League games so Joel Veltman, Jan Paul Van Hecke, Diego Gomez and Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck all come in.
James Milner is on the bench waiting to equal the Premier League appearance record at one of his former clubs.
Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu, Baleba, Hinshelwood, Gomez, Gross, Mitoma, Welbeck
Subs: Steele, Georginio, Minteh, Kostoulas, Milner, Boscagli, De Cuyper. O'Riley, Howell
There are five games in the Premier League on Wednesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
Aston Villa v Brighton
Crystal Palace v Burnley
Man City v Fulham
Nottingham Forest v Wolves
Sunderland v Liverpool (20:15)
Kick-off times 19:30 GMT unless stated
Follow all of the action and reaction here
And listen to Around The Grounds on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds from 19:00
Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty ImagesMatt O'Riley says it feels like coming home after his return to Brighton from a loan spell at Marseille.
The London-born Denmark midfielder went to Ligue 1 on a season-long loan spell in the summer - but the deal was cancelled last month and he came back to Albion.
"It's very nice to see a lot of friendly faces," he told BBC Radio Sussex. "It felt like coming home in a way which was really nice.
"It was definitely an experience. I'm really happy I did it. It was really good for me mentally to deal with playing under that kind of pressure - it's relentless there. I really enjoyed aspects of it.
"I feel I've come back a more mature and stable person which was what I wanted.
"I want to bring good energy to the team and I think I can do that after having six months away in the sun."
He added that he watched Brighton games while he was in France.
"I watched a lot of our games," he said. "I wanted to keep tabs on the team. I didn't know what would happen - whether I'd come back - but I wanted the team to do well. I don't watch too much football in general."
Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist
Champions League-chasing Aston Villa seek to put their indifferent form behind them on Wednesday at the expense of an out-of-sorts Brighton side who have lost seven of the past nine league meetings.
Villa have won just two of their seven most recent midweek Premier League games, though both victories came against Brighton – including by a 4-3 scoreline in December.
Squeaky Brum time
Villa had an eight-point cushion in third place after 20 games, and were 11 clear of fifth. After Tuesday night's results, they are now two points clear of fourth-placed Manchester United, with Chelsea a further point behind.
It's just one win, three goals and five points from as many league games for Unai Emery's side, who are in danger of becoming the first English top-flight team to lose three successive home matches after winning the previous eight.
Following Saturday's hard-fought draw at Bournemouth, Emery told the media: "Two months ago you were saying we are contenders to win the Premier League. Now, two months on, everything I told you two months ago makes sense. Why? Because the Premier League is a very difficult league."
In truth, the vast majority of Villa supporters never truly believed their side were title contenders this season. Their concern now is whether the team can overcome the destabilising effect of key midfield injuries and find a way to remain firmly in the hunt for Champions League qualification and trophy success via the Europa League or FA Cup.
Comfort can be found in the fact Villa are four wins and nine points better off than at this stage last season, when only goal difference kept them out of the Champions League. They're a mere two points down on the 2023-24 campaign, in which they finished fourth.
Rogers rivalling best young attacking players in Europe
Morgan Rogers has overcome a poor start to the season to become Villa's trump card this season. While Ollie Watkins and Villa's summer attacking reinforcements struggle to provide an end product, Rogers has already equalled last season's tally of eight league goals.
He is also one of only five players still under the age of 24 in Europe's top five leagues to have managed a minimum 20 goals and 20 assists since the start of last season.
Brighton rocked
While Aston Villa are experiencing a wobble, Brighton are suffering a crisis of confidence. Albion were booed off following Sunday's home defeat by Crystal Palace, with some fans calling for head coach Fabian Hurzeler to be sacked.
Brighton, who were restricted to a season's low of 13 touches in the opposition penalty area against Palace, have only beaten Burnley in their past 12 top-flight fixtures.
"We have a loss of self-confidence, and how you get the self-confidence back is only by getting the right results," said Hurzeler, who could give James Milner a Premier League record-equalling 653rd appearance.
Albion have taken just two points from their past five away matches and won three of their 26 Premier League games played on a Wednesday; that 11.5% win rate is the lowest among current sides in the division.
Their loss of form can be traced back to the reverse fixture against Aston Villa on 3 December. Brighton led 2-0 and would have gone third in the table, above Villa, had they won – only to lose 4-3. Their record since then is the third worst in the division.
Brighton have only won one of their past 12 league games so the worry for them has to be that they will get sucked into the relegation scrap.
It was a 4-3 home defeat by Aston Villa in December that was the start of this poor run for Fabian Hurzeler's side, and I don't see it ending at Villa Park.
I'm surprised that the Seagulls are struggling. I looked at their bench against Crystal Palace at the weekend and thought 'blimey, they've got a good squad' - but they are underperforming and the fans seem really split on Hurzeler, and have been for a while.
Villa were lucky to get a point against Bournemouth at the weekend and I couldn't believe how Lucas Digne just let Rayan run past him for the Cherries equaliser. He seemed to give up and it was astonishingly bad defending.
Unai Emery's side have lost their past two home league games, against Everton and Brentford, which worries me.
Will it be a hat-trick of home defeats, or will they come good again? I've got to back my old team, so I am going with my heart here and saying Morgan Rogers will make the difference.
Sutton's prediction: 3-1
Brighton accepted an offer from Nottingham Forest in January for Lewis Dunk, but the defender wanted to stay. (Sky Sports), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Aston Villa at Villa Park (19:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Hurzeler says Jan Paul van Hecke is back available after a hamstring injury while Mats Weiffer is getting close to a return.
The boss was asked about reports that captain Lewis Dunk turned down a potential move to Nottingham Forest: "Lewis and me have a good relationship. I need him here, I need him as a leader. I really appreciate that he stays here and that he keeps fighting. That was his words and I really appreciate his performances after these kinds of rumours."
Why was a move entertained by the club?: "There are always two perspectives; the player's and the club's. There are always things going on in a transfer window. The most important is Lewis' perspective, we had a good chat, looked in each other's eyes, and spoke about it, and then he made his decision and I appreciate that. What makes me much more impressed is how he played afterwards. That's not normal, that's outstanding."
On boos from the crowd after Sunday's home defeat against rivals Crystal Palace: "It's part of the game. There are a lot of emotions. The fans come to the stadium to see us win and perform and we didn't do that. We, and especially personally me, deserve the boos and I take responsibility for that."
Are the Seagulls in a relegation battle?: "We have to see the reality of where we are in the table. It is important to stay humble, to know where we are, and to know we have to collect points. The table never lies but we know what we are capable of doing and showing good performances. We just have to get the rewards. We have to show a reaction in the next game and see the reality of where we are at the moment."
What has been the reaction to Sunday's defeat in training?: "I saw a team with a lot of energy and that gives me a lot of confidence speaking in front of the press because I see a team that really sticks together with great players, great personalities and great characters. I am confident we have a big chance tomorrow."
On facing Villa at this moment: "We definitely want to show a reaction, the next opportunity is against Villa. We are positive and we will go there to try and win this game."
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