Aston Villa predicted XI vs Brighton: Emery faces serious selection headache after summer of change
· Yahoo Sports
Aston Villa begin their 2026/27 Premier League campaign with a tricky trip to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
Visit sportbet.rodeo for more information.
Villa return to domestic action after finishing fourth and winning the Europa League last season, but manager Unai Emery has overseen a major squad rebuild this summer.
The Spaniard knows his revamped Villains will need to hit the ground running against a Brighton team that has proved to be difficult opponents in recent years.
Match preview
Emery enters another season looking to defy the odds. Villa have established themselves among England’s elite under the Spaniard.
After another top-four finish, he wants his side competing with the teams around the Champions League places again. But there is plenty of work to do.
Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Ezri Konsa and Lucas Digne have all departed, while Villa have brought in several new faces to refresh the squad.
Emery admits patience will be required as his new-look team develops, but the expectation is that Villa need to compete.
Brighton will provide a stern opening test.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side have recorded back-to-back eighth-placed finishes and enter the campaign with plenty of confidence after winning all four of their pre-season friendlies.
However, the Seagulls have had little time to recover after travelling to Norway for Thursday’s goalless draw with Tromso in the Conference League.
Villa have also won eight of their last 10 Premier League meetings with Brighton and have avoided defeat in all four clashes against Hurzeler.
Ollie Watkins has also enjoyed this particular fixture. He has been directly involved in more Premier League goals against Brighton than any other Premier League club.
Match stats
Brighton have lost 64 percent of their Premier League meetings with Villa, losing nine of their 14 encounters.
The Seagulls have also dropped 13 points from winning positions against Villa, more than against any other Premier League opponent.
Villa won 4-3 at the Amex last season, with Watkins scoring twice in a thrilling encounter.
He has been involved in 11 Premier League goals against Brighton, scoring nine and providing two assists.
However, Brighton have avoided defeat in their last five opening-day Premier League fixtures, winning four and drawing one.
Villa’s opening-day record is considerably less impressive. They have won just twice in seven Premier League season openers since returning to the top flight in 2019/20.
Aston Villa team news
Emery will make his final decisions after Saturday’s training session, with several new arrivals potentially in line for their Villa debuts.
Johan Manzambi and Joao Gomes are unavailable through injury, while Brian Madjo, Leon Bailey and Amadou Onana are sidelined.
Alejandro Garnacho and Tammy Abraham will be assessed before the game.
Watkins’ involvement is also uncertain due to continued interest from Al-Hilal, and Emery cannot guarantee he will remain at Villa beyond the transfer window.
‘Trailblazer‘ Zion Suzuki could make his competitive debut in goal, while Matteo Ruggeri and Aaron Wan-Bissaka are also candidates to start.
Aston Villa predicted XI (4-2-3-1)
Zion Suzuki; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen; Boubacar Kamara, Lewis Hemmings; John McGinn, Ross Barkley, Emiliano Buendia; Ollie Watkins.