Kaoru Mitoma Brighton’s late hero again in Bournemouth win as Brentford deepen Southampton crisis

A late winner from Kaoru Mitoma kept Brighton in the race for European qualification with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth, while Brentford continued their impressive form by thrashing rock-bottom Southampton.

Mitoma was the hero once again for the Seagulls, his decisive goal coming just a week after he struck in stoppage time to seal an FA Cup victory over Liverpool.

The hosts had the better chances early on, with Deniz Undav hitting the post, but Bournemouth grew into the game and it looked to be heading for a stalemate.

However, Japan international Mitoma proved decisive again as he headed home the winner with three minutes left to keep Brighton in sixth place.

Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo, who agitated for a move during the January transfer window, was left on the bench by manager Roberto De Zerbi, but came on in the second half.

Brentford are also aiming for an unlikely European spot and rose to seventh with a 3-0 win over Southampton.

Ben Mee and Bryan Mbeumo both struck in the space of three minutes at the end of the first half, before Mathias Jensen wrapped up a comfortable victory ten minutes from time.

Thomas Franks’ side, who climbed above Fulham, are now unbeaten in nine matches, their longest top-flight undefeated run in 87 years.

It was another bad result for Saints, though, who sit alone on the foot of the table with 15 points, three from safety.

At Villa Park, Leicester had to fight back twice to earn a 4-2 win over Aston Villa that sent them three points clear of the relegation zone.

An Ollie Watkins strike and an own goal from Foxes debutant Harry Souttar twice gave the hosts the lead in the first half, coming either side of James Maddison’s equaliser.

But Kelechi Iheanacho levelled again for the visitors before Leicester’s impressive new signing Tete fired them in front on the brink of half time.

Villa playmaker Philippe Coutinho had a goal disallowed after the break, but the game was put to bed when Foxes substitute Dennis Praet scored with 11 minutes left on the clock.