Express & Star

Brighton's David Button ready for cup action against Aston Villa

Goalkeeper David Button is confident any one of the Brighton squad will be ready to quickly get into their rhythm for the Carabao Cup tie against Villa.

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Brighton Head Coach Graham Potter prepares for kick off during the Pre-Season match at The AMEX Stadium, Brighton (Mark Kerton/PA Wire)

Seagulls boss Graham Potter will again rotate his team this evening, with Button set to take over from Mathew Ryan between the posts. The 30-year-old former Brentford and Fulham stopper maintains whatever team is selected for the cup tie, each man will be determined to make the most of an opportunity to impress.

“It is a chance for players who do not play so much to hopefully show the manager what they can do and hopefully push themselves into his thoughts,” Button said.

“It is not as easy as playing every week when you get into your rhythm, so it can be a little bit challenging.

“But with the environment we have got here, we push each other every day, so we know we are always training at our top level.

“Then come the games, you just hope that pays off and you show people what you can do.”

Brighton drew 0-0 at Newcastle on Sunday, in a match which they could well have taken all three points but for Fabian Schar’s acrobatic clearance to knock Aaron Connolly’s goal-bound effort off the line.

Potter also feels there is plenty more to come from teenager Aaron Connolly as he prepares for another taste of first-team action in the Carabao Cup.

The Republic of Ireland Under-21 international impressed as a second-half substitute against Newcastle on Sunday, seeing a goalbound effort acrobatically cleared off the line by Fabian Schar.

The 19-year-old is expected to get another chance to showcase his potential in tonight’s tie.

Potter believes Connolly, who scored his first senior goal in the last round against Bristol Rovers, has all the required talents to make an impact.

“He has been with us since the start (of the season) and trains every day with the group,” the Brighton boss said.

“Aaron feels comfortable with the boys.

“You can see his qualities, he wants to run and score goals.

“But he is a young player and we are just making sure he has the right pathway to the team and help him to improve every day.

“He is at that stage of his career where he just needs to focus on his football and try to improve, to understand the opportunity he has got.

“We are happy to have him with us, but at the same time we all know he needs time to improve.”

Having seen his side leave Newcastle with a point following Sunday’s goalless draw, Potter feels things are moving in the right direction, despite having not won in the Premier League since the opening weekend.

“If you analyse our six league matches we are a little disappointed with the points tally because I think our performances have been consistently good,” the Brighton boss said at a press conference.

“We are at the start of what we are trying to do and we want to improve.

“We have been close to getting wins, competitive in the games, but have not quite managed it. That, though, is the challenge of the Premier League.

“We just need to focus on what we are doing to get the wins and I am sure they will come.”

Potter has been impressed by the way Dean Smith has revived Aston Villa, taking the Midlands club up via the play-offs - if now finding the top flight tough going.

“I know Aston Villa well from last year when they came up from the Championship, Dean Smith did a fantastic job since he took over, I like a lot of what they do,” the Brighton boss said.

“However, again, pretty much like a lot of teams in the Premier League, it is not so easy to get points.”