Brighton v Aston Villa Could Be Opening Weekend’s Quiet Classic

Brighton host Aston Villa on Sunday, 23 August, in a match between two clubs with clear European ambitions. Both sides have demanding starts, making this an early opportunity to take points from a direct rival.

Brighton’s season will also include a UEFA Conference League playoff before the month ends, while Villa have European football on the horizon too. The opening match should reveal which team has managed the summer workload best.