Hurzeler's Walking Wounded vs Emery's New-Look Villa

Five players out, a Conference League trip to Norway three days ago, and the small matter of a Matchweek 1 Premier League fixture against a club that did the double over them last season. No pressure, then. Brighton open their 2026/27 campaign on Sunday at the Amex against Aston Villa, and let's be honest — the fixture list has not been kind to Fabian Hurzeler's side. The Seagulls sit 14th in the early standings with zero points from zero games, but the context matters: they drew 0-0 with Tromso in the UEFA Conference League play-off first leg on Thursday, meaning the squad has had barely 72 hours to recover before a top-flight opener.

On the injury front, Brighton are without five players for this one. Carlos Baleba (ankle, SAM 8.1/10) misses out and is reportedly closing in on a £65m-plus move to Manchester United, while Yankuba Minteh's leg problem is expected to keep him sidelined until late October — Liverpool's rejected £50m bid suggesting just how highly rated the winger is. Kaoru Mitoma (hamstring), Stefanos Tzimas (knee), and Evan Ferguson (ankle) round out a painful absentee list. The SAM ratings paint a picture of what Brighton lose up the pitch without them. Into that gap steps Georginio Rutter, who is expected to lead the line again having done so against Tromso, with new Canada striker Promise David — arriving on loan from Royale Union Saint-Gilloise this week — potentially making his debut off the bench. In terms of players who could shine in fantasy football circles, Pascal Groß produced six key passes in his one appearance this season with a match rating of 7.2, and Yasin Ayari (SAM 9.0/10) anchors the midfield with authority despite a 6.3 rating in that Conference League draw. Pascal Struijk (SAM 8.7/10) at centre-back, rated 7.6 in his one league outing, gives Brighton solidity they will need.

Aston Villa arrive looking like a club in transition, and that is putting it mildly. Unai Emery has overseen the departures of Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, and Lucas Digne this summer, while new signings Joao Gomes (calf), Johan Manzambi (knee), and Leon Bailey (muscle) are all unavailable. Amadou Onana (knee, SAM 8.3/10) is a confirmed long-term absentee. Brian Madjo, who scored in Villa's UEFA Super Cup final against PSG last month, is also injured. Add in Tammy Abraham, who limped out of Villa's final pre-season friendly and is doubtful, and Alejandro Garnacho who has been in concussion protocol, and Emery has a rebuild job just to name a starting eleven. The big talking point is Ollie Watkins (SAM 8.0/10) — the striker has not kicked a ball since the World Cup and his future is clouded by reported interest from Al-Hilal, with Emery unable to guarantee his presence at Friday's press conference. Boubacar Kamara (SAM 8.3/10) could be the one to step up in the engine room, rated 6.5 in his one appearance, while John McGinn — who had an assist and four key passes in Matchweek 1 with a rating of 7.2 — is the creative heartbeat this side cannot afford to lose. New goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, signed from Parma, could make his full Premier League debut, potentially ahead of Emiliano Martinez. For fantasy football managers eyeing Villa assets, the injury list makes their picks extremely difficult this gameweek.

History slightly favours the visitors in this fixture — Villa won both meetings last season, including a 4-3 thriller at this very ground in December and a 1-0 win at Villa Park in February. But that Villa side had a settled midfield and a fully fit Watkins. This one does not. Brighton's home advantage, the coherence that comes from Hurzeler's established system, and a SAM rating of 9.0/10 for Ayari running the show from deep are enough to tip the balance. The Premier League standings will show Brighton with their first three points of the season come Sunday evening. Back the Seagulls — 2-1 at the Amex.