Tony Morley, Aston Villa's new £200,000 winger from Burnley, marked his Villa Park debut by scoring the winning goal against First Division newcomers Brighton last night to clinch a closely fought battle.

Morley scored his decisive goal in the 66th minute to take Villa through to a somewhat fortuitous victory after they had been thoroughly tested by their lively opponents.

For long periods Brighton played the more dangerous and inventive football without being quite able to take advantage of Villa's often indecisive defensive work.

But Morley, the crowd pleasing and speedy individual, settled the issue with a superbly struck right-foot shot from Gordon Cowans' quickly taken free kick after Brian Little had been floored on the edge of the penalty area by centre-half Andy Rollings.

Villa, who had earlier taken the lead with a 14th minute penalty from Allan Evans after Little had been chopped down by Mark Lawrenson, found the lively Brighton side a rare handful.

Teddy Maybank hit a smart equaliser seconds before the interval after Villa's defensive offside tap had been exposed by John Gregory to even the first-half affairs.

In fact, Villa might well have been adrift at the interval, but for some superb goalkeeping by Jimmy Rimmer as Brighton threatened to outplay them with their determined running and sharp-shooting.

Rimmer twice had to make diving saves to tip away tierce shots from Peter Sayer and Peter O'Sullivan with his defence at full stretch.

Villa, who had again left out their transfer-seeking internationals, Andy Gray and John Gidman, often struggled as Brighton endeavoured to make an impact in their first season in the First Division.

The South coast side were clearly determined to forget the memory of their 4-0 defeat by Arsenal last Saturday and they played with purpose and decision.

Villa were seldom allowed to express any positive ideas and they took the lead somewhat luckily after Lawrenson had indiscreetly moved across the penalty area to bring down the darting Little.

It was a clear penalty and Evans made no mistake with his spot kick. But apart from one flashing header from John Deehan. this was the only time that Villa really posed a threat to the Brighton goal.

Brighton's equaliser came as Villa's back four failed to compose its offside trap efficiently and Maybank scored quite comfortably from an acute angle.

The second-half saw Villa playing with slightly more authority although their midfield was again found to be wanting in ideas. Their plans were clearly upset by an early injury to Alex Cropley who had to leave the field after only nine minutes with a jarred ankle.

They missed the experience and influence of skipper Dennis Mortimer. who had failed a fitness check shortly before the game. But there was no definite rhythm to Villa's overall play and they showed an alarming tendency to panic before a very well drilled Brighton side.