The incident prompted a disagreement on the touchline as Villa manager Unai Emery took issue with Albion boss Hurzeler leaving his technical area to protest
Marcus Rashford struck his first Premier League goal for Aston Villa to set his side on course for a comprehensive 3-0 win over fellow European hopefuls Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
The on-loan Manchester United forward added to his brace in Sunday’s 3-0 FA Cup quarter-final success away to Preston by bobbling home a 51st-minute finish after Villa countered from a Seagulls corner.
In-form Marco Asensio doubled the lead 12 minutes from time with his eighth goal in his last seven appearances before fellow substitute Donyell Malen’s maiden goal for the club sealed victory in the 10th minute of added time.
Albion were frustrated to be denied a quick-fire equaliser after Rashford’s milestone goal when winger Simon Adingra’s close-range effort was disallowed following a VAR check due to an adjudged handball by Kaoru Mitoma in the build-up.
Fabian Hurzeler’s hosts also hit the woodwork through Yasin Ayari’s first-half free-kick before slipping to eighth place – a point and a place below Villa – on the back of a first top-flight defeat in two months.
Villa arrived in Sussex buoyed by reaching a first FA Cup semi-final since finishing runners-up 10 years ago, while Albion were seeking a response to the disappointment of a penalty shoot-out exit at home to Nottingham Forest.
Travelling fans wasted little time in taunting home supporters about reaching Wembley during an end-to-end opening in which both sides threatened.
Matty Cash fizzed a rising drive just over with the visitors’ best opportunity, while Adingra’s curling effort drifted narrowly wide at the other end following a swift counter-attack led by Mitoma.
Brighton wanted a penalty in the 28th minute when winger Mitoma was nudged over by right-back Cash.
The incident prompted a disagreement on the touchline as Villa manager Unai Emery took issue with Albion boss Hurzeler leaving his technical area to protest against the decision of referee Stuart Attwell.
Villa had greater reason to feel aggrieved in the 37th minute when Jack Hinshelwood, who had already been booked, appeared to bring down Jacob Ramsey in the box, only to somehow escape punishment following a VAR review.
Midfielder Ayari almost gave Albion a 42nd-minute lead but his 20-yard free-kick, after being hauled down by Boubacar Kamara, was touched on to the post by Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
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