Aston Villa XI vs Brighton – Predicted lineup and team news

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·23 August 2026

Aston Villa XI vs Brighton – Predicted lineup and team news

Aston Villa travel to the American Express Stadium on Sunday afternoon to open their Premier League campaign against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Unai Emery’s side finished fourth and won the Europa League last season, but a summer of major departures and a troubled pre-season — five defeats in seven matches, including the UEFA Super Cup final loss to PSG — has left question marks over how quickly the new-look squad can find its feet.

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Amadou Onana remains a long-term absentee, ruled out until at least the spring after a serious knee injury sustained while representing Belgium at the World Cup. Johan Manzambi, signed this summer, is still yet to make a competitive appearance for the club because of a knee issue picked up at the same tournament, though he may have a chance of returning before the September international break.

João Gomes, another summer arrival, sustained a calf injury in the Super Cup final and is targeting a return around 5 September against Hull City. Brian Madjo, the 17-year-old who impressed against PSG before being forced off with his own injury, is unlikely to be available before September. Leon Bailey is also out with a muscle problem.

Tammy Abraham was withdrawn after slipping awkwardly against Borussia Mönchengladbach last weekend and there has been no official update on his condition since. Alejandro Garnacho has not featured since sustaining a facial injury in a friendly on 5 August and his clearance through concussion protocols remains uncertain, though a place on the bench has not been ruled out.

The most significant story surrounds Ollie Watkins. Emery was unable to guarantee at Friday’s press conference that his top scorer would remain at the club amid reported interest from Al-Hilal, leaving his involvement here as more than a simple fitness question.

Zion Suzuki, signed from Parma, is in contention to be handed his full Premier League debut in goal ahead of Emiliano Martínez, who continues to be linked with a departure of his own. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who joined on a season-long loan from West Ham, is also pushing for a starting role at right-back.