Brighton and Hove Albion produced a stunning opening-day performance in the Premier League, dismantling last season's Europa League winners Aston Villa in little more than half an hour.

A closely fought contest had been expected at the start of the match, but Brighton had other ideas. By the 31st minute, the hosts were already 4-0 ahead, turning the game into a remarkable rout.

Victor Lindelof put the ball into his own net to open the floodgates before Maxim De Cuyper added another. Jack Hinshelwood then completed a quickfire double as Brighton tore through the visitors' defence and effectively settled the contest before the half-hour mark had passed.

Aston Villa's misery deepened in the 40th minute when Joao Gomes was shown a straight red card for unsporting behaviour, leaving the visitors with 10 men before half-time.

With the game already beyond doubt, Brighton opted not to pursue an even more emphatic scoreline.

2026-27, England - Premier League

Brighton - Aston Villa 4:0 (4:0)
Goals: Lindelöf, 8 (own goal) (1:0); De Cuyper, 18 (2:0); Hinshelwood, 30 (3:0); Hinshelwood, 31 (4:0)

Brighton: Verbruggen; Dunk; Boscagli; De Cuyper (Osman I., 78); Vuskovic L.; Hinshelwood (Kostoulas, 64); Groß; Gomez D. (Yalcouyé, 86); Ayari (Costinha J.P., 64); Wieffer; Rutter
Substitution: Costinha J.P. (from 64); Kostoulas (from 64); Osman I. (from 78); Yalcouyé (from 86)
Bench: Steele; Struijk; Svoboda; David
Yellow Cards: Groß 9; Ayari 11

Aston Villa: Bizot; Lindelöf; Torres Pau (Mings, 74); Maatsen I. (Ruggeri, 82); Kamara B.; Cash; Barkley (Bogarde L., 74); McGinn J. (Alysson Edward, 82); Gomes João (till 40); Hemmings; Buendia (Garnacho, 86)
Substitution: Mings (from 74); Bogarde L. (from 74); Ruggeri (from 82); Alysson Edward (from 82); Garnacho (from 86)
Bench: Suzuki Z.
Yellow Cards: Gomes João 10; McGinn J. 33; Cash 90
Red cards: Gomes João 40'