Late Ollie Watkins and Tyrone Mings goals give Steven Gerrard win on debut as Aston Villa manager

Two late goals from Ollie Watkins and Tyrone Mings gave Aston Villa a 2-0 victory over Brighton as Steven Gerrard got off to a winning start at Villa Park.

The former England and Liverpool captain was introduced to the Villa Park crowd for the first time before kick off, but Brighton controlled much of the opening period to largely silence the home fans.

Jason Steele made a good save to stop a Matty Cash header after 12 minutes before a cross from Marc Cucurella evaded everyone in the middle as the Seagulls edged the contest.

Emi Martinez made a save to deny Leandro Trossard on the half-hour mark with Tariq Lamptey’s pace giving Aston Villa problems down the wing.

Brighton controlled possession in the second half as Graham Potter made his first change of the match with Solly March replacing Cucurella off the bench after 64 minutes.

Villa had a penalty kick appeal turned down after a clash between Cash and March. Leon Bailey would replace Danny Ings soon after.

But just as it looked that both sides would have to settle for a point, Watkins broke the deadlock five minutes from the end of normal time after cutting inside off the wing and curling a finish into the far corner.

And Mings made sure of the win four minutes later, side-footing home a finish after a good period of pressure from the home team.

The result lifts Aston Villa up to 15th place in the Premier League table and ends a run of five straight defeats while Brighton drop down to eighth.

Elsewhere, fellow Midlands club Wolves defeated in-form West Ham with Raul Jimenez scoring just before the hour mark to secure all three points.

There was a thriller at Turf Moor as Sean Dyche's Burnley grabbed a 3-3 draw against Patrick Vieira's impressive Crystal Palace.

Christian Benteke scored the first goal of the game after eight minutes, and then levelled for the away side on 36 minutes after goals from the home side's Ben Mee and Chris Wood.

Marc Guehi put the away team back in front only for Maxwel Cornet to equaliser just after the restart.

Dean Smith enjoyed a win as Norwich City's new manager when his side came back to win 2-1 agaiinst Southampton at Carrow Road. Southampton went ahead through youngster Che Adams ater four minutes, but Teemu Pukki hit back three minutes later, and Grant Hanley struck late in the second 45 to take all three points.

Newcastle United enjoyed the Eddie Howe era - with the manager away due to Covid - as they drew 3-3 at home to Brentford. Jamaal Lascalles and Ivan Toney scored early for their respective sides, and Rico Henry put Brentford ahead midway through the first half. Joellnton notched a rare goal just before the end of the half and Lascelles then put the ball into his own net just after the hour mark. With Brentford looking good for the win, Newcastle's talisman, Allan Saint-Maximin, scored with 15 minutes left.