Fabian Hurzeler Aiming for a Relentless Performance from Brighton Against Ascendant Aston Villa

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler addressed the media in his most recent press conference ahead of the upcoming match against Aston Villa on Wednesday.

The race for European qualification heats up this week as both teams prepare for the final nine fixtures of the season. However, Seagulls supporters received some disappointing news regarding the fitness of Georginio Rutter and Adam Webster.

“Both injuries don’t look promising. We’ll have to add them to our injury list,” he confirmed.

When queried about the likelihood of their absence for the remainder of the season, Hurzeler’s response did not offer much hope.

“It’s a possibility. Georginio has an ankle issue, while Adam is dealing with a muscle injury,” he stated.

He also reflected on the quick turnaround following a penalty shoot-out loss to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup on Saturday, which left the club still seeking its first major trophy.

“This presents a great chance for a rebound. Feeling the disappointment of a setback isn’t easy, but I always believe that the joy of a recovery outweighs it. We need to work towards that,” he said.

Regarding the prospect of a win pushing Brighton into fourth place, Hurzeler confidently remarked: “Why would that surprise me? We have always been a club with ambitions. We refuse to be seen as a small club. Even if our financial resources don’t compare to other teams, we can still have a strong season and fight for European spots if we unite as a team.”

He went on to discuss the intensity required for the fixture at Villa Park, which he anticipates will be among the toughest challenges as the season reaches its climax.

“We know this will be a significant battle. Villa are a very experienced and mature team looking to secure a European place through the Premier League,” he noted.

“They’re competing in three tournaments and chasing a title. They’ve had a fantastic season and it’s another opportunity for us. We need to approach this match with maturity and high intensity. We cannot afford to be as soft as we were at times against Nottingham Forest.”

“We must be more ruthless, and that’s an area we need to improve upon from our previous match. I’m confident we’ll have a great chance tomorrow.”

Finally, he highlighted how the current injuries in the squad open doors for other players to step up and showcase their talents, embodying a positive outlook.

“We see this more as an opportunity than a setback. We’ve always managed to replace injured players effectively. This is another chance for Brajan Gruda, Matt O’Riley, and Eiran Cashin. Lewis Dunk is also returning. So, I prefer to view it as a chance for growth.”

“I’ll never complain about injuries. Georgi and Adam were in great shape, but that’s football. We must adapt. We’ve dealt with injuries all season, and now it’s time for others to demonstrate their capabilities.”

“That’s why I’m genuinely excited about the prospects for those players who now have the opportunity to start or fill in for the injured. They can reveal their potential, and we’re dedicated to helping them integrate as swiftly as possible.”