Expect Brighton to line up in their usual 4-2-3-1, with Bart Verbruggen in goal and a back four of Kadioglu, Vuskovic, Boscagli and Wieffer. Yasin Ayari and Pascal Gross anchor the double pivot, giving the back line real protection while allowing the front four to roam. Hinshelwood pulls the strings in the number ten role, with De Cuyper and Diego Gomez providing width and Georginio Rutter leading the line. This is a side built to dominate possession and knife through lines with quick, vertical passes.

Villa, also in a 4-2-3-1, will look to sit slightly deeper and hit on the break. Without Onana's physical presence in midfield, they may struggle to control the centre of the park. Brighton's double pivot of Ayari and Gross will likely boss that area, forcing Villa wide and relying on crosses into the box. But Brighton's full-backs are solid, and with Wieffer's composure on the ball, they should handle that threat. The key battle will be in midfield — if Brighton win that, they win the game.