A dour first half saw chances at a premium for both sides. Seagulls keeper Jason Steele did well to push away Douglas Luiz’s stinging free kick on 15 minutes, before substitute Cameron Peupion fired tamely at Villa stopper Robin Olsen on the stroke of half-time after an excellent, flowing Albion move.
Albion suffered a double injury below on the half-hour mark when Danny Welbeck and Adam Webster were taken off as a precaution.
After an anti-climatic first half, the second half served up great entertainment.
Aston Villa were gifted the lead on 68 minutes. A slip by Steele from a Solly March back-pass allowed Danny Ings to waltz the ball home from close-range, despite the best efforts of the scrambling Jan Paul van Hecke.
But Brighton were level seven minutes later. Brilliant work from Andrew Moran sent Undaz away on a slaloming run, which culminated in a brilliant pinpoint finish past Olsen into the bottom right corner.
And the Seagulls went ahead on 81 minutes. Pascal Groß played in countryman Udav, whose scuffed first-time effort left Olsen rooted to the spot.
Despite playing some lovely football in the second half, Albion were unable to hold on for the win. A well-worked Villa move from a free kick saw substitute Arjan Raikhy cut the ball across the mouth of the goal for the unfortunate Lewis Dunk to turn into his own net.
Here’s how we rated the Brighton & Hove Albion players against Aston Villa.
9. Julio Enciso - 7
Easily Albion's brightest spark in the first half. Always looked to drive forward. Was the architect of Brighton's best move of the first half, sprinting away down the left wing on the counter to bring the Seagulls up the pitch. Moved into Deniz Undav's centre forward position when the German drifted out to the right in search of the ball. Interestingly, Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi was constantly in Enciso's ear telling him when to stick to his position or drift inside. His impact diminished in the second half, and he was replaced by Odel Offiah on 75 minutes. Photo: Alex Burstow/Getty Images
10. Solly March - 6
Never stopped running up and down the left flank. Was moved further forward in the second half after the withdrawal of Julio Enciso for young full-back Odel Offiah. A great cross-field ball from substitute Jack Hinselwood allowed the 28-year-old to fire a stinging effort at Villa keeper Robin Olsen in the second half Photo: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images
11. Deniz Undav - 8
A superb second half after an anonymous first half. Excellently teed up Cameron Peupion at the end of Brighton's best move of the first half. Failed to impose himself on the Aston Villa defence in the first half but was vastly improved in the second. His slaloming run and fine driven finish brought the Seagulls level midway through the half, before he fired home his, and Albion's, second. Was effective winning the ball back in midfield areas and spreading the ball to the wing to spark Seagulls attacks. Very positive display from the 26-year-old Photo: Alex Burstow/Getty Images
12. Danny Welbeck - 5
Was replaced by Cameron Peupion on 32 minutes due to injury. Didn't impose himself on the game inside the opening half-hour. Photo: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images