Aston Villa are poised to make a second attempt to secure the services of Wigan boss Roberto Martinez as their new manager, Press Association Sport understands.

England defender Joleon Lescott has given his backing to new Wolves boss Terry Connor who will take charge of the relegation strugglers for the rest of the season, beginning with Newcastle this weekend.

Hull City 0 Brighton & Hove Albion 0

Wolves are targeting the Reading manager, Brian McDermott, as a leading candidate to replace the sacked Mick McCarthy, in a change of direction by the Premier League club. The initial plan was to appoint a manager with top-flight experience and the former Sunderland manager Steve Bruce remains in the wings, waiting to see whether he will be granted a second interview.

The Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher is ignoring the odds ahead of Sunday's FA Cup fifth-round tie with Brighton and expects another tough test against the Championship side.

Wrexham 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 1 (aet; Brighton win 5-4 on penalties)

Brighton spurned the chance to break into the Championship's top six in spectacular fashion when two players were sent off early on against Burnley at the Amex Stadium by referee Craig Pawson. Romain Vincelot saw red after six minutes when he punched Marvin Bartley in the ribs, and six minutes later Ashley Barnes was dismissed for lashing out at Chris McCann. Brighton's nine men held out for 20 minutes until a short corner saw Kieran Trippier score from the edge of the area. The Clarets won 1-0.

Nottingham Forest dropped into the Championship relegation zone on Tuesday with a humbling 4-0 home defeat to Leeds and we reckon Brighton will underline just what a long season it's going to be for the City Ground faithful by picking up a routine three points against the Reds on Saturday.

Brighton have confirmed the signing of former Spain midfielder Vicente Rodriguez.

Substitute Will Buckley scored twice to christen Brighton's first competitive fixture at their new Amex Stadium with a 2-1 victory over Doncaster in the npower Championship.

The decision to reduce the number of players on substitutes' benches in Football League matches from seven to five could limit first-team opportunities for young British players, according to Gus Poyet and Sam Allardyce, two of the managers who have to deal with the new rules.

The family resemblance is unmistakable, but can Roland do for Brighton what his great uncle Dennis did for Arsenal? Andrew Warshaw reports

Once he was the darling of Maine Road. Now he's taking charge of Brentford. Nick Szczepanik meets the English Leagues' only German manager

What I Learnt This Week