Fabian Hurzeler said he will keep pushing his young players after Jack Hinshelwood struck twice in two first-half minutes as rampant Brighton ruthlessly exploited Aston Villa’s summer exodus with a thumping 4-0 victory.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler is happy with the 4-0 victoryplaceholder image
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler is happy with the 4-0 victory | AFP via Getty Images
Villa arrived at the Amex Stadium having sold a host of star names since last season’s Europa League triumph and without a recognised striker amid transfer speculation surrounding the absent Ollie Watkins.
Victor Lindelof’s calamitous own goal and a close-range finish from Maxim De Cuyper set the Seagulls on course for a resounding opening-weekend win.
Hinshelwood’s quickfire double took the game away from Unai Emery’s shell-shocked side before midfielder Joao Gomes was sent off on his league debut five minutes shy of half-time to add to Villa’s woes.
It’s a fine start for Brighton who lost a lot of experience this summer as the likes of Adam Webster, Joel Veltman, Jan Paul van Hecke, Solly March and Danny Welbeck all left. Carlos Baleba and Yankuba Minteh are also expected to move on to Man United and Liverpool respectively.
Luka Vuskovic, 19, made his debut start following his £50m transfer from Tottenham, while talented youngsters Zadok Yohanna, Ibrahim Osman and Malick Yalcouye all made their first Premier League appearances for Brighton from the bench.
Develop the young players
"We need every player,” said Hurzeler when asked about the young players stepping up this season. “We will always get young players in full of potential, it's up to us to develop them. It was a positive start so let's keep pushing them."
On the victory itself, the German, who is starting his third season in charge at Brighton, said: “We had a tough start but afterwards we got the control back, we pressed intensely, we forced them to do mistakes so it was quite positive. In the end the red card was a game changer.
"[at 4-0 up] We still had a few chances and wanted to score but the clean sheet was very important."
”We were effective out of possession. We were there in the right moment. We got into a flow and when you are in a flow a lot of things can happen. We have to stay humble, keep working hard because on Thursday we have the next challenge."
Villa were an early threat
The visitors twice threatened through Buendia during a bright start before gifting Albion an eighth-minute opener.
Under minimal pressure from Georginio Rutter wide on the Villa left, Pau Torres played a risky pass into his own area.
The ball went straight to Seagulls winger De Cuyper, who turned away from goalkeeper Marco Bizot before seeing his shot strike the right post and rebound into the net off the midriff of Lindelof.
Villa fell further behind just 10 minutes later. Rutter was released down the left by Lewis Dunk and, after tricking his way beyond Torres, delivered a low cross for De Cuyper to tap home from inside the six-yard box.
Some away supporters could be seen heading for the exits as Villa quickly capitulated.
Double for Hinshelwood
Seagulls midfielder Hinshelwood headed home his first of the game on the half-hour mark after Diego Gomez nodded De Cuyper’s left-wing back across goal.
Villa then suffered the embarrassment of conceding again straight from kick-off.
After the ball was worked back from the centre circle, Gomes was dispossessed on the edge of his own 18-yard box by Yasin Ayari, allowing Hinshelwood to emphatically slot into the bottom left corner.
Gomes off
Emery’s half-time team talk duly became even more difficult as Brazil international Gomes – a summer arrival from Wolves – was shown a straight red card following a VAR review for kicking out at Rutter after losing possession.
Costinha rattled the post
The Spaniard opted against half-time personnel changes and saw his side come close to pulling one back through Ian Maatsen.
With Brighton four goals up and Villa a man down, much of the second period was played at a pedestrian pace.
Albion almost increased their lead when debutant Costinha rattled the left post from distance before fellow substitute Charalampos Kostoulas was flagged offside after finishing on the rebound.
As jubilant Seagulls fans celebrated being top of the league, Villa turn their attention to next Monday’s visit of champions Arsenal, with manager Emery no doubt eager to recruit reinforcements following a dismal start to the campaign.