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Brighton & Hove Albion kick off their Premier League campaign against Aston Villa at the Amex Stadium on Sunday afternoon, just three days after opening their season in the Conference League play-offs.
The Seagulls drew 0-0 at Tromso IL in the first leg of their qualifier, and play the second leg at home four days after their league fixture.
This is Villa's first game after the sale of Ezri Konsa to Arsenal, and he has joined Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne through the exit door in a period of change for the Midlands club.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Aston Villa key stats
- Brighton are unbeaten in five Premier League openers (W4, D1).
- Villa have won just twice in seven Premier League openers (D1, L4).
- Brighton have only won twice in 14 Premier League H2Hs (D3, L9).
Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Aston Villa preview: Seagulls to settle for another draw?
Brighton vs Aston Villa — Tale of the Tape
| Brighton | vs | Aston Villa |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | Position | 2nd |
| 0 | Points | 0 |
| 0 | Goals For | 0 |
| 0 | Goals Against | 0 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 5th | Home / Away Rank | 2nd |
After tasting European football a few seasons ago, Brighton are now in Europe again, this time trying to qualify for the league phase of the Conference League.
They will have to put their scoreless draw from Thursday night behind them though and concentrate on getting off to a good start in the Premier League.
Fabian Hurzeler did a stellar job of guiding them to eighth, and with expectations rising for the Seagulls, they will be hoping for a similar finish again.
Villa is not an easy opener though, and Brighton have key players out injured including Kaoru Mitoma and exit-linked Yankuba Minteh and Carlos Baleba, although new signing Promise David could make the squad.
Their opponents have also lost several players but for different reasons, as Rogers was sold for £117m to Chelsea, while Digne and now Konsa have left after him, and Emi Martinez and Ollie Watkins could follow.
Super Cup breakthrough star Brian Madjo is also injured alongside new signing Joao Gomes, but another new addition Alejandro Garnacho could return after concussion protocols.
Despite the summer of change, Villa will be hoping to build on their fourth-place finish last season, and add more silverware to the cabinet after lifting the Europa League.
They narrowly lost 2-1 in the Super Cup to Paris Saint-Germain, and now the focus is on the Premier League for the ever-present Unai Emery.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Aston Villa form guide & betting tips
| Brighton | vs | Aston Villa |
|---|---|---|
N/A |
Form | N/A |
| 0 | Points | 0 |
| 5th | Form Table | 2nd |
| 0 | Goals For | 0 |
| 0 | Goals Against | 0 |
LWWWD |
Form (All Comps) | WWLLL |
Whispers predicts: Brighton & Hove Albion 1-1 Aston Villa
Brighton are 5/4 (2.25) favourites to win, but fatigue could kick in after Europe and give Villa a chance of getting a result.
We are happy to back the Draw at 27/10 (3.70), while Under 2.5 goals at 11/10 (2.10) also appeals to us given both teams have not scored more than once in their last two outings in all competitions.
Overall, we can see a tight game playing out, and Correct score – 1-1 at 7/1 (8.00) could be worth an outside punt.
> Under 2.5 goals at 11/10 (2.10) | Likelihood: Possible
> Draw at 27/10 (3.70) | Likelihood: Outsider
> Correct score – 1-1 at 7/1 (8.00) | Likelihood: Outsider