Brighton vs Aston Villa: Villa own this fixture, but not opening day
Villa have owned this fixture under Emery, but rarely win openers. Inside: the stats, Emery's rebuild and pre-match words, plus our verdict.
22.08.26, 10:00 Updated 21.08.26, 23:46 7 Minute Read
Andrea Locorotondo
The story in brief
- Villa are unbeaten in their last four Premier League meetings with Brighton, and in all four against Fabian Hürzeler (W3 D1)
- Brighton haven't lost a season opener since 2020-21; Villa have won on the opening day just twice in seven top-flight returns
- Emery begins a visible rebuild as Digne, Konsa, Tielemans and Rogers are out; Gomes, Manzambi and Ruggeri in, with Zion Suzuki tipped to debut in goal
Aston Villa start their European bid at Brighton, where the record favours them but opening day rarely does.
A fixture Villa have made their own
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Andrea Locorotondo SJA and AIPS member. Aston Villa In-Ground correspondent for Opta. Football writer and commentator. If you are coming to Villa Park, you will always find me on seat C22 in the press box.