The China Mail - Brighton start Premier League season with rout of 10-man Villa

It took the Seagulls just eight minutes to open the scoring as Maxim de Cuyper forced an own goal from Victor Lindelof before the Belgian made it 2-0 10 minutes later.

Europa League champions Villa, who finished fourth in England's top-flight last season, then capitulated completely as Jack Hinshelwood struck two goals in as many minutes to put Brighton 4-0 up.

To make matters worse for the visitors, Unai Emery's side were reduced to 10 men following a red card for Joao Gomes, whose nightmare debut only lasted 40 minutes.

Villa had in fact made a promising start and Emiliano Buendia almost gave them visitors the lead inside five minutes after he stole possession only for his shot to miss but the bottom corner of the net by a matter of inches.

Brighton, however, made the most of the first chance that came their way after Villa defender Pau Torres's blind pass into his own box found De Cuyper, whose shot struck the post before going in off the unfortunate Lindelof.

The Seagulls soon doubled their lead, with Georginio Rutter making a well-timed run to get behind the Villa defence, with his cut back turned in by De Cuyper from six yards out.

Fabian Hurzeler's side were 3-0 up come the half-hour mark when Hinshelwood tapped in from close range after De Cuyper's cross from the left was knocked back across the goal by Diego Gomez.

And just a minute later, Yasin Ayari robbed Gomes of possession in the Villa box to set-up Hinshelwood for his second goal as south coast side Brighton went 4-0 up to the delight of their home crowd.

Villa's afternoon deteriorated still further shortly before half time when Gomes, already on a yellow card, kicked out at Rutter and received a straight red following a video assistant referee (VAR) review.

Birmingham club Villa did at least manage to prevent Brighton from scoring again in a goalless second half, but by then the damage had long been done in what was an emphatic success for the Seagulls.

D.Peng--ThChM