Unai Emery reflected on the qualities of Brighton before Aston Villa host the Seagulls in midweek.
Despite their position in the Premier League table, Brighton are opponent that the coach respects.
“They are competing fantastic. They have less points than they deserve. Watching them play, how they are playing, I like a lot, because I think they are being consistent in their style, and it’s a team playing good football in combination. It’s a team playing intense and very good press to the opponent.
“They lost some points, but like in Fulham, when they were winning 1-0, they lost 2-1 but they deserved more. They drew against Man City away and they deserved more. They competed fantastic at home against Crystal Palace, but they lost.
“I think they are a team, really playing good football, fantastic football, and tomorrow, they are going to play like they are. We will need tomorrow, (to) get our strong structure defensively, stopping them.
“They are going to play in combination, they have as well very good wingers, they have as well two very good strikers. They can play long ball second action, but they are playing more in combination with Pascal Gross. Gross gives them a lot, because he’s a very intelligent player, and his comeback for them is fantastic.
“Carlos Baleba is so strong in the middle. Diego Gomez so competitive. They have experienced players. Lewis Dunk is a fantastic central defender. The goalkeeper plays very good in combination with the ball. And defensively, they are being so intense and getting a lot of duels man to man.
“I think Fabian Hurzeler is doing very good work. How he did in Germany, and now, in Brighton two years, I think, how they are playing, is really something I appreciate a lot.
“They are very competitive, and playing good football. When you can watch one match of Brighton, you are watching a match, you are enjoying, because they have good structure tactically, they play good ideas with a style playing, and they have very good players as well, and I like it.
“I think he has a really huge future as well as a coach, and of course, to be in England with 32 years old, is a privilege for him as well, to get his career. But I respect him a lot, and I really like how they are playing, and tomorrow, I know, it’s a tough, tough match for us.”