Aston Villa predicted XI vs Brighton: Emery faces serious selection headache after summer of change

Aston Villa prepare for their 2026/27 Premier League opener against Brighton & Hove Albion, with manager Unai Emery facing a difficult selection decision. Emery's side has undergone a significant summer overhaul, with several key players departing and new faces added to the squad. Brighton, meanwhile, have shown strong form in pre-season, winning all four of their friendlies, but have suffered in recent meetings with Villa.

The Seagulls have lost 64% of their Premier League encounters with Villa, more than any other opponent. Villa have won all four of their previous meetings with Brighton, with Ollie Watkins being the leading goal scorer in that fixture. However, Brighton have avoided defeat in their last five opening-day Premier League matches. Villa's upcoming fixture presents a serious challenge for Emery, who must decide which new signings will start and how his revamped team will perform against a Brighton side that is eager for revenge.