Jack Hinshelwood struck twice in two first-half minutes as rampant Brighton ruthlessly exploited Aston Villa’s summer exodus with a thumping 4-0 Premier League victory.
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 João Gomes was sent off on his league debut five minutes shy of half-time to add to Villa’s woes.
Travelling fans began the afternoon singing about being champions of Europe but no doubt harbouring major concerns about the strength of their team’s starting line-up.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez and England forward Watkins were missing from the matchday squad amid talk they will join Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers through the exit door, with Emiliano Buendía, Ross Barkley and full debutant George Hemmings tasked with leading the line.
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.
Seagulls midfielder Hinshelwood headed home his first of the game on the half-hour mark after Diego Gómez 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.
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.
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.
