BOSS Chris Hughton has warned Albion they will have to win at Aston Villa to prevent his old club Newcastle overhauling them at the death in the title race.

The Seagulls head into Sunday’s final fixtures still a point above Newcastle but with an inferior goal difference after losing 1-0 to Bristol City at the Amex.

Newcastle host Barnsley at St James’ Park after closing the gap with Friday’s 2-0 victory at Cardiff.

Hughton told The Argus: “I think we will have to win. Friday was the best opportunity we had of Newcastle dropping points.

“They are at home in the last game of the season but you never know. We were at home and it didn’t quite work for us.

“We know what we’ve got to do now. We’ve got to go to Villa and we’ve been better away from home this season than last season. We’re going to have to do it that way.”

Hughton admits Albion need to up their game to beat Villa after the shock setback against Bristol City, which followed a 2-0 defeat at Norwich when the title was also up for grabs.

“They’ve had a good run of late,” he said. “The second half of their season has certainly been better than the first half.

“It will be as tough as the Norwich game was but I think it’s about us. If we play to our levels then we’ve got a chance.

“If we play to the levels we’ve had in the last couple of games then it is going to be very difficult.”

Hughton hopes to have Sam Baldock available to increase his options up front. The striker, sidelined from the last seven matches by a glutes injury, is back in training.