Brighton vs Aston Villa – Predicted lineup and team news

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·23 August 2026

Brighton vs Aston Villa – Predicted lineup and team news

Brighton host Aston Villa at the American Express Stadium on Sunday afternoon with minimal recovery time after Thursday’s Conference League play-off trip to Norway.

Fabian Hurzeler’s side drew 0–0 with Tromso in the first leg of their qualifying tie, registering only six of 25 shots on target. Several of that starting XI played the full 90 minutes and are unlikely to be risked again so soon, adding an extra layer of selection complexity to the season opener.

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Brighton team news

Five players are unavailable. Carlos Baleba is nursing an ankle injury but is also on the verge of completing a move to Manchester United worth more than £65m. Yankuba Minteh, also linked with an exit this summer, is out with a leg problem. Kaoru Mitoma is sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Stefanos Tzimas (knee) and Evan Ferguson (ankle) complete the absentee list.

Promise David, Brighton’s seventh summer signing, became available for selection this week and could make his debut from the bench, though Georginio Rutter is expected to retain his place leading the line. Bart Verbruggen, Mats Wieffer and Pascal Gross all played the full 90 minutes in Norway and are the most likely of that group to keep their places, with Gross potentially shifting into a deeper midfield role alongside Yasin Ayari.

That switch would allow Jack Hinshelwood to return in the number ten position, where he scored three times in Brighton’s final five league matches last season. Luka Vuskovic and Ferdi Kadıoğlu complete the back four alongside Wieffer and captain Lewis Dunk.

Brighton predicted lineup

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Weiffer, Dunk, Vuskovic, Kadioglu; Ayari, Gross; Gomez, Hinshelwood, De Cuyper; Rutter