Aston Villa secured a scrappy late win over Brighton as James Milner equalled the Premier League appearance record.

Milner, 40, came off the bench early on at Villa Park for a 653rd top-flight appearance - drawing level with Gareth Barry's mark.

But an 86th-minute own goal from Jack Hinshelwood marred Milner's milestone night and secured three points for the hosts which they barely deserved.

Villa, who struggled to impose themselves throughout, remain third but extended their lead over Manchester United and Chelsea in the race for the Champions League spots.

Defeat was tough to take for Brighton, who dominated much of the second half.

Milner had replaced Carlos Baleba after 22 minutes and tested Emi Martinez after the break.

Martinez had already denied Ferdi Kadioglu, turning his shot from the edge of the area on to the bar.

And the Seagulls looked like leaving with a point before Tyrone Mings' effort went in off Hinshelwood.

Brighton have won just once in their past 13 league games, slipping from fifth at the end of November to 14th, but deserved at least a draw after a battling performance.

Aston Villa found a way to win. It was not pretty and it was probably not deserved, but they pinched three precious points.

A composed and controlled 2-0 win at Newcastle last month was arguably their best display of the campaign, coming after losing Boubacar Kamara for the season and seeing Youri Tielemans limp off at St James' Park.

Since then they have recovered from 2-0 down to beat RB Salzburg in the Europa League - a collapse from the Austrians rather than a rousing comeback - lost to 10-man Brentford and drawn at Bournemouth.

The level of performance from Unai Emery's side has noticeably dropped - understandable given injuries to key players- but they have still got the job done.

Villa were poor, sloppy and lacked inspiration from the usual sources of Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins on Wednesday - but few would ever back against them digging out a win from virtually nothing.

In the race for the Champions League places this victory was much needed, and supporters will not be debating the performance levels of mid-February in the summer if Villa return to Europe's elite next season.

They needed a win after recent results - having lost their previous two home league games - and they got it. Just.

Brighton are clearly in a rut - but they are being undone by the fine margins.

One win in 13 Premier League games, falling from fifth to 14th, tells one story - but not the full tale.

They have drawn six of those, beat Burnley and also secured an FA Cup win at Manchester United.

Arsenal, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Villa - now twice - have beaten them by the odd goal, with Liverpool's 2-0 win the heaviest defeat in this latest run.

Had Martinez not got a fingertip on Kadioglu's effort to turn it on to the bar, Brighton would have taken the lead here and left Villa chasing the game.

And it was only Hinshelwood's unfortunate deflection which meant the Seagulls left Villa Park with nothing.

During their home loss to Crystal Palace last week some Brighton fans sung "sacked in the morning" at boss Fabian Hurzeler, which seems implausible after they finished eighth last season and made such a strong first half of this term.

Hurzeler has credit in the bank and his side were just a few minutes away from a gutsy, gritty draw against Villa which would have been the least they deserved.

However, the sliding-doors moments are just not working out in the Seagulls' favour at the moment.

Aston Villa host Newcastle in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday (17:45 kick-off) before welcoming Leeds in the Premier League on 21 February (15:00).

Brighton face Liverpool at Anfield in the FA Cup on Saturday (20:00) and then head to Brentford in the league on 21 February (15:00).