Brighton Host European Champions Aston Villa

Brighton & Hove Albion open their season against Aston Villa at the Amex Stadium on Sunday, August 23 (2pm kick-off).

Team News

Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler is without several first-team players, including Stefanos Tzimas, Evan Ferguson, Carlos Baleba and Yankuba Minteh, all injured. Aston Villa boss Unai Emery also faces selection issues, with Amadou Onana, Leon Bailey and Johan Manzambi among those unavailable.

Context

Aston Villa arrive as reigning UEFA Europa League champions, having beaten SC Freiburg 3-0 in the final in Istanbul in May — the club's first major trophy in over 30 years, and their first European trophy since 1982. The result secured Champions League qualification for this season. Brighton finished last season in the top half and qualified for the Conference League. The reverse fixture in February 2026 was settled 1-0 in Villa's favour by a late own goal.

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