Brighton’s own goal hands Aston Villa a crucial 1-0 win in the top-four race

Aston Villa secured three points at Villa Park on February 11, 2026, in a tight, low-scoring contest settled by a deflected own goal from Brighton’s Jack Hinshelwood in the 86th minute.

The final score was 1-0. Villa climbed to 50 points and cemented their place in the top three. Brighton stayed put on 31 points, sitting 14th.

How the goal happened

The decisive moment arrived from a corner. Leon Bailey delivered from the right, Tyrone Mings attacked the delivery with a powerful header, and the ball cannoned off Hinshelwood and into the net.

Victor Lindelöf came on as a substitute in the 83rd minute, replacing Douglas Luiz. He was on the pitch for the goal but was not the player whose deflection ended up in the net. That distinction belongs to Hinshelwood.

James Milner writes his name into the record books

The result aside, the story that will outlast this specific scoreline came in the 22nd minute, when James Milner entered the pitch as a substitute. With that appearance, Milner equaled the Premier League all-time appearances record of 653.

There was an audible appreciation from the Villa Park crowd when Milner came on, the kind of acknowledgment that crosses club allegiances.

What this means for both clubs

For Aston Villa, this result keeps a Champions League return firmly within reach. Sitting on 50 points and third in the table, Unai Emery’s side have built a platform that most clubs in the competition would envy.

The attendance at Villa Park was 39,495, a near-capacity crowd throughout.

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