Graham Potter's huge Lewis Dunk and Joel Veltman dilemma ahead of Aston Villa

Captain, Lewis Dunk is available for selection after serving a three-match ban for the straight red card he received in the derby against Crystal Palace, but in his absence, Joel Veltman has impressed in the heart of the defence alongside Adam Webster and either Dan Burn or Ben White.

There’s no denying the quality Dunk brings to the side; experience, leadership, and defensive stability, but the Netherlands international has shown why the club brought him to the AMEX throughout the past three games.

One of the main factors which may sway Potter’s decision this weekend is who can implement his game plan accordingly.

Brighton have, rightly, received praise for their ethos and style of play under the former Southampton defender, as he has adopted a free-flowing passing style on the south coast.

Throughout the 2020/21 campaign, Brighton’s head coach has been setting up between a 5-3-2 and a 3-4-3 formation. Wing-backs are deployed on either flank, with three central defenders providing cover and an outlet from the back.

It’s imperative that two of three centre-backs are comfortable on the ball, as the Seagulls often play and build from the back.

So far this season, Dunk has averaged 68 passes per game, of which 91 per cent are successful. He also completes, on average, 4.2 diagonal passes per match, which allows the Seagulls to transition from defence into attack quickly.

Across the four Premier League appearances Veltman has made so far this season, his passing stats are slightly less impressive than that of Brighton’s captain.

The Netherlands international has averaged slightly over 60 passes per match with 84 per cent of them being successful, while playing three diagonal passes 90’.

The Seagulls have conceded 14 goals across their opening eight matches of the 2020/21 Premier League season, which is the fifth-highest behind Leeds United (17), West Bromwich Albion (17), Liverpool (16), and Fulham (15).

Across the five games that Dunk featured throughout the entirety, Brighton have conceded an average 2.2 goals per game, whereas across the four matches Veltman has featured in they have conceded 1.75 goals per game.

This statistic doesn’t give Potter a clear favourite in terms of goals conceded when either are placed in the starting XI.

The two defenders also rarely differentiate when examining their personal statistics either.

For example, Dunk averages 0.8 interceptions per game, while the Dutchman averages 0.5. Veltman also averages 2.5 clearances per game, while the England international averages 3.2.

These statistics may be tough reading for the Seagulls’ head coach, but may also offer him a solution of playing the pair alongside Adam Webster.

Of course, this would mean Ben White would drop to the bench or advance to a midfield role, but against a team who have scored 18 goals already this season in Villa, he may be inclined to play a more rigid system.

The two have played alongside one another already this season, in the 4-2 defeat to Everton at Goodison Park.

Veltman was introduced as a half-time substitute for Tariq Lamptey, but couldn’t prevent the Toffees from netting twice more in the second half.

In conclusion, Dunk is expected to return to the starting XI against the Villains. It’s not often you see a club captain left out when they’re fully fit and firing.

The international break has also allowed Potter to work with his defence on how to stop free-scoring Aston Vila.

Regardless of who starts at Villa Park on Saturday, it will be a tough test for the Seagulls as the hosts are coming into the game off the back of a 3-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal.

However, Brighton will be buoyed by the fact Southampton were able to claim three-points there only three weeks ago and Leeds United, who sit one place above the Seagulls, were able to do the same.