Sussex

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

The season has started with a bang. With so many new coaches and major squad upheavals, I expected the unexpected and wasn't disappointed.

Hull City seeing off Manchester United raised the most eyebrows. Remember, United ended last season impressively and their hosts just about squeezed up from the Championship, via the play-offs. These are early days and Michael Carrick's side will improve, so need to panic yet. As for Hull, their performance hinted at something else.

Last season Brentford, Brighton and Bournemouth didn't have the slightest hint of an inferiority complex when facing the super-clubs. The Tigers have started in the same style and I suspect others have now seen the light and will follow their lead.

Many are now embracing the idea of chaos, following the control-based dogma that held sway for so long. Some suggest this is "Kloppism" eclipsing the Guardiola doctrine. This is a bit simplistic but there is change in the air and it is being helped by the recent rule changes.

The game is speeding up, encouraging a quicker, more open style that lends itself to this organised chaos. It's early days, but already a pattern appears set for the season; reputations might count for little when up against hungry, youthful, fearless opponents.

Spurs and Aston Villa are seen as "big" clubs but size doesn't matter when confronted by a hunger, desire to work and the ensuing mayhem.

Just look at the way Brentford and Brighton closed both of them down at the weekend; Manchester City were within six minutes of losing to Bournemouth; Liverpool were seconds away from losing to Newcastle, a team supposedly gutted of quality and experience after those brutal summer sales.

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Brighton and Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

Brighton fans

Sam: I was concerned before the season started. Gaps across the pitch, especially in wide areas, but wow! The intensity in the press led to two great goals. Great performance and work done in the first half - then after, all about game management. Brilliant start to the season and a great atmosphere at the Amex. Roll on Thursday and Chelsea away.

Gordon: Villa have been our nemesis for a while so it's good to beat them.

David: A brilliant, aggressive, front-footed first half where the half-time score in no way flattered them. Every player seemed to want to go forward, which has never been the Brighton way. But what a difference in the second half, especially after the substitutions. Back to sideways and backwards passing - the fast, forward passing of the first half was forgotten. So let's be grateful for four goals, a clean sheet and top of the table.

Barry: What a fantastic performance from Brighton! A brilliant 4–0 victory over Aston Villa, with every player contributing. The team looked sharp, confident and dangerous throughout, and Danny Welbeck's absence was barely felt. A superb all-round display and a thoroughly deserved win.

Villa fans

Ian: Villa were really poor and embarrassing! They deserved everything they got from Brighton. Villa players giving the ball away in dangerous areas and no idea of any movement off the ball. Obviously there is a lot of uncertainty with things happening in the transfer window, but things need tightening up. I trust Unai Emery to sort it, especially when injured players are available again.

Dan: Such a worry to start the season like this. The team selected looked so short of quality - then then combine that with the very poor performance, gifting Brighton a number of goals, and it does not look good. Hope we have some signings coming, a few players to regain fitness and Emery can get them being consistent! Doesn't help to have the circus around Ollie Watkins!

Andy: One result should not define a season and clearly there's a rebuilding job to do at Villa. Let's not panic as there have been huge changes in players and the new players will take time to gel. Joao Gomes is quality and will only learn from Sunday, plus will be amazing for us! Keep the faith…

Rod: No striker, no midfield, no first-choice keeper. With the core missing, we did well to lose 4-0. Keep the faith - but I have a gut feeling Unai will depart soon.

Former Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy has praised Brighton for their "superb" performance against Aston Villa at Amex Stadium.

Fabian Hurzeler's side kicked off the 2026-27 Premier League campaign with an impressive 4-0 win over Unai Emery's Europa League-winning team.

"There was so much to like about Brighton, but Aston Villa didn't half give them a helping hand," Murphy said on Match of the Day.

"It was woeful after the first goal. You are away from home in the first game of the season and you cannot afford to give your opponent any impetus.

"You could see what Brighton were trying to do as well. It was so obvious but, take nothing away, they did it so well.

"Brighton were superb - it was a great start for them."

Catch up on Match of the Day on BBC iPlayer

Liverpool, external and Brighton were expected to hold fresh talks on Sunday over winger Yankuba Minteh, as the Reds consider whether to make a third bid. (Ben Jacobs via TeamTalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, speaking to Match of the Day: "We had a tough start but afterwards we got the control back, we pressed intensely, we forced them to do mistakes so it was quite positive. In the end the red card was a game changer."

On approaching the second half 4-0 up: "We still had a few chances and wanted to score but the clean sheet was very important."

On the first half: "We were effective out of possession. We were there in the right moment. We got into a flow and when you are in a flow a lot of things can happen. We have to stay humble, keep working hard because on Thursday we have the next challenge."

On young players playing their part: "We need every player. We will always get young players in full of potential, it's up to us to develop them. It was a positive start so let's keep pushing them."

Brighton goalscorer Jack Hinshelwood, speaking to Match of the Day: "I thought they started qu9ite well and we had to weather a bit of a storm for the first five. After that we brought a real intensinty, energy and passion and it ended with us scoring four goals in the first half. A really good start."

On his two goals: "Credit to the boys. It was a really good start. After we scored a few the confidence grew. We were dangerous every time we got the ball. The press was the main thing."

On the game being done and dusted at half-time: "They had to sit behind the ball with a man less, but the first half was really enjoyable and I've owed Villa a game like that for a while after my debut."

On setting the tone for the rest of the season: "Massive. We've laid the foundations now, we have set the bar and that's it now. We have set a real good standard but that needs to continue now."

Listen to more from Fabian Hurzeler on BBC Sounds here

Did you know?

• Today's victory for Brighton put an end to a run of three consecutive Premier League defeats against Aston Villa, whilst this was just the Seagulls' third victory against the Villans in the competition in what was the 15th meeting between the two sides (W3 D3 L9).

• There were just 79 seconds between Jack Hinshelwood's first (29:11) and second goals (30:30), whilst the 21-year-old has scored four goals in his last four Premier League home matches, as many as he netted in his previous 26 games at the Amex Stadium combined.

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton could not have asked for a better start to the new season.

Like Villa, they have also lost key personnel during the transfer window in defender Jan Paul van Hecke and season striker Danny Welbeck, with midfielder Carlos Baleba likely to join them in leaving soon.

Yet, Hurzeler was still able to field a side that looked far closer to Brighton's first-choice line-up than the one Emery could.

Club-record signing Luka Vuskovic started at centre-back on his Premier League debut and produced an assured display while goals from De Cuyper and Hinshelwood would be a welcome sight as they look to replace Welbeck's output.

Without a recognised striker, Rutter started up front and, despite not getting on the scoresheet, was central during Brighton's attacking spree in the first half.

Hurzeler and his players will have little time to savour their start as attention will turn to the Conference League play-off second leg against Norway's Tromso on Thursday, 27 August (19:30 BST), after a goalless draw last week.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Brighton's performance

What did you make of Aston Villa's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

There are three games in the Premier League on Sunday as the opening weekend continues, and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Brighton v Aston Villa - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Man City v Bournemouth - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Newcastle v Liverpool (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 14:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Brighton v Aston Villa" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Newcastle match", for example.

How to follow the opening Premier League weekend across the BBC

New this season: Live match updates

Fans of Premier League clubs can now get real-time scores live on their phone lock screen for every game.

Simply follow your favourite football teams on the BBC Sport app for updates throughout the 2026-27 season.

Find out more here

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New this season: Match of the Day Predictor

Simply predict the outcome of the six fixtures we've selected from across domestic and European competitions every week.

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The Champions League is going to stretch Aston Villa and I don't see them making it back into the top four this season.

They have lost Morgan Rogers as well as Youri Tielemans and, while Johan Manzambi is a young man with a lot of talent, it is a big ask for him to hit the ground running and replace Rogers straight away.

Also, I'm not sure if anyone can get a tune out of Alejandro Garnacho but I suppose if anyone can it is Unai Emery.

Their goalkeeper situation is interesting too, with Japan's Zion Suzuki arriving. He will come in revved up, while Emiliano Martinez looked like he was on his bike until his move to Juventus fell through.

As I had to remind Mark Chapman on Monday Night Club, you can't play with two goalkeepers - they changed many laws of the game over the summer, but not that one - so we will have to see who gets the nod on Saturday.

As for Brighton, they have also lost a couple of key players, such as Danny Welbeck and Jan Paul van Hecke, who were the spine of their team. But I am expecting a big season from Jack Hinshelwood, who was phenomenal for them last season.

Villa started really slowly last season and it took them six league games to get a win. This will be close, but I think they will get off to a flier this time.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here