Webster not prepared to rest on his laurels

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Defender hungry to keep on improving with Albion.

Alex Stedman

2020-11-20T07:00:00Z

Adam Webster in action against Newcastle United - the defender going close to breaking the deadlock with a long range effort.

Adam Webster says he’s happy with his form since the restart in June but is keen to keep on improving.

The centre half was given the captaincy for the matches against West Brom, Tottenham Hotspur and Burnley in Lewis Dunk’s absence, and believes that was a reflection of the progress he’s made as a player since his arrival in 2019 from Bristol City.

He said, “I’m grateful for the chance to do captain the side. I’m 25 now and not a young player anymore, so I felt like it was the right time for me to be given that opportunity.

“I think I’ve developed a lot at Brighton. The first lockdown possibly helped me a bit because I was able to step away from football for a while and take my mind off it.

“We weren’t having the best run so it came at a good time. Since the restart I feel like I’ve been playing well and maybe that’s why I was given the armband.

“I don’t want to stop here though, I’m always looking to push on and trying to improve.”

Albion head to Villa Park tomorrow looking to atone for last year’s 2-1 defeat against Dean Smith’s side.

Webster scored his first goal for the club that day, but the afternoon would end in a cruel 2-1 defeat when Matt Targett scored Villa’s winner deep into stoppage time.

“I obviously had the high of scoring my first goal for the club in the Premier League and then the low of the result at the end, so it’s an afternoon I remember well.

“I think we played really well that day, even after we’d gone down to ten men. We were still the better team.

“To concede at the time we did was tough. But if we can go there and play like we did last year then I fully expect us to get a good result.”

Villa have begun the new campaign in strong fashion, beat Arsenal 3-0 last time out and sit sixth ahead of this weekend’s matches. Webster knows Albion will have to be at their best.

“It’s a different side to the one we faced there last season. They have players in good form and we’re expecting a tough match.

“They’ve had some great results. Any team that goes to Arsenal and wins convincingly is doing something right, but it’s a challenge we’re all looking forward to.

“The core of the squad was still here training during the internationals break so that’s been good from our perspective in terms of working together. We’re looking forward to getting back out there on Saturday.”