Brilliant Brighton batter dreadful Aston Villa

Brighton hammered Aston Villa 4-0 in their Premier League opener on 23 August 2026 at the Amex Stadium. Victor Lindelöf's own goal in the 8th minute and a close-range finish from Maxim De Cuyper were followed by two goals in two minutes from Jack Hinshelwood (30' and 31'), with Villa's misery compounded by João Gomes being sent off on his league debut in the 40th minute. Aston Villa, who won the Europa League last season, struggled badly having sold several key players during the summer, and arrived without a recognised striker.