Brighton's Greek striker #19 Charalampos Kostoulas (C) takes a shot during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Aston Villa at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on August 23, 2026. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)
Brighton lanched their Premier League campaign with a dominant 4-0 win over 10-man Aston Villa at the Amex Stadium on Sunday.
It took the Seagulls just eight minutes to open the scoring as Maxim de Cuyper forced an own goal from Victor Lindelof before the Belgian made it 2-0 10 minutes later.
Europa League champions Villa, who finished fourth in England’s top-flight last season, then capitulated completely as Jack Hinshelwood struck two goals in as many minutes to put Brighton 4-0 up.
To make matters worse for the visitors, Unai Emery’s side were reduced to 10 men following a red card for Joao Gomes, whose nightmare debut only lasted 40 minutes.
