BIRMINGHAM — Unai Emery insisted Aston Villa are still in the race to finish in the Premier League’s top four after Tariq Lamptey’s late equaliser salvaged a 2-2 draw for Brighton yesterday.

Villa striker Ollie Watkins celebrated his birthday with a goal and an assist for Morgan Rogers, putting his side ahead after Simon Adingra’s early opener for Brighton.

But Emery’s men allowed Lamptey to level with just nine minutes left at Villa Park.

Villa’s hopes of finishing in the top four for a second consecutive season are in danger of being extinguished well before the spring after the latest erratic display in an inconsistent season.

Ninth-placed Villa are six points adrift of the top four, while 10th-placed Brighton’s winless run has reached seven games.

Emery remains upbeat about their chances after a year in which Villa returned to the Champions League in impressive style.

“We played a fantastic match. The first 20 minutes we started lower than we were planning and we conceded one goal. But we reacted and came back with 2-1,” he said.

Watkins had two opportunities to win it but wasted both, leaving Emery holding his head in frustration after he lashed over in the final seconds.