Chris Hughton has demanded an improved performance from Albion at Aston Villa tomorrow – even if it does not produce the title.

The Seagulls have blown two chances to be crowned champions, at Norwich four days after securing promotion and in a flat defeat against Bristol City at the Amex last Saturday.

Hughton wants a better display at Villa Park to avoid heading into the Premier League next season on a low note.

The Albion boss told The Argus: “It’s almost as important as the result.

“The result is the most important thing, because if you said to me would I settle for a bad performance and winning the game and the title, then of course I would accept it.

“But very close to that for me is the performance. Sunday is the last game and, having the season that we’ve had, I think it’s right and fitting that we at least finish that with a good performance.

“By far the biggest achievement is gaining promotion and, come the summer, that’s the excitement, the challenges going into the season, but it’s all about moments and you go through good moments and not so good moments.

“It will leave a little bit of a taste if we finish on a little bit of a down note. Losing three games on the spin, which is not like us, and an opportunity to win a title would do that.”

Villa’s Geordie boss Steve Bruce is also urging his players to deliver a victory which could hand the title to Newcastle following a limp 1-0 defeat at relegation-haunted Blackburn Rovers last Saturday.

Hughton said: “He’s brought in some good players and it’s quite obvious that he’s starting to put his stamp on the group of players that he’s got.

“They had a really good start when he first came in, then a slight dip, but they’ve recently gone on a very good run apart from last week’s result.

“Steve’s a top manager. He knows how to get promotion from this division and, looking at next season, with the teams going down and the teams that will have a really good go, I’m even more delighted that we’ve managed to do it this season.

“If we thought the Championship was tough this season, I think it will be even tougher next season.”

Hughton and his coaching staff will be keeping tabs on his old club Newcastle, who need to better Albion’s result against Barnsley at St James’ Park to snatch the title.

“Yes we will and that’s only natural,” he said. “I don’t think it will change too much. Our mentality is you have to go and win the game but it’s only professional we do keep tabs.

“I don’t think it will affect it too much because we all know what can happen, last minute goals can affect any change you might have on our own game. It will be very much treating the game as it is and one we want to win.”