Humiliate Europa League Champions
Brighton began their Premier League campaign in emphatic fashion, cruising to a 4-0 victory over Aston Villa at the American Express Stadium on Sunday.
The Seagulls took the lead after just eight minutes following a defensive error.
Maxime De Cuyper’s effort resulted in Victor Lindelöf turning the ball into his own net while attempting to clear it off the line.
Brighton doubled their advantage 10 minutes later when De Cuyper found the back of the net himself.
The defender reacted quickly to Georgino Rutter’s excellent delivery across the face of goal, smashing the ball home from close range.
The hosts continued to dominate and added two more goals in quick succession through Jack Hinshelwood.
Hinshelwood first headed home from close range after Diego Gómez nodded the ball back across goal.
Just a minute later, he struck again after dispossessing João Gomes inside the penalty area before beating goalkeeper Marco Bizot.
Villa’s afternoon deteriorated further when Gomes was sent off for kicking out at Rutter, leaving the visitors with little chance of mounting a comeback.
The comprehensive victory gives Brighton an impressive start to the new season, while Aston Villa will be left to reflect on a difficult opening-day performance.
Brighton will now switch their attention to Thursday’s second leg of their Europa Conference League qualifier against Tromsø.
