Aston Villa predicted XI vs Brighton could feature Zion Suzuki immediately after Unai Emery’s side agreed a deal worth close to £30million for the Parma goalkeeper ahead of their Premier League opener.
Villa travel to the Amex Stadium on Sunday, 23 August, with kick-off at 2pm BST, as confirmed by the club’s official fixture list.
Emery has several major calls to make after a turbulent end to pre-season.
Suzuki is expected to arrive as Villa’s new first-choice goalkeeper, yet Emi Martinez remains at the club after Juventus ended their pursuit on Sunday. Villa are also dealing with injuries to important players as Emery tries to shape a new-look side following a summer of significant change.
🚨 Matteo Ruggeri & Zion Suzuki are set to sign for Aston Villa in the next 24 hours, with an offer expected for Aaron Wan-Bissaka this week. @TomCollomosse #avfc
— villareport (@villareport) August 16, 2026
Aston Villa predicted XI vs Brighton
Predicted Villa XI: Suzuki; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, McGinn; Alysson, Buendia, Garnacho; Watkins.
The biggest question comes immediately in goal.
Villa have agreed a deal to sign Suzuki from Parma, with reports indicating that Emery’s side intend to make the 23-year-old their new No.1 rather than slowly introduce him behind Martinez.
That makes Suzuki the bold prediction to start at Brighton, providing his transfer is completed and registration formalities are settled in time.
Martinez suddenly remaining at Villa makes the decision considerably more intriguing.
Juventus ended their pursuit on Sunday despite earlier moving closer to Villa’s valuation, leaving Emery with two senior goalkeepers who could both reasonably expect to start.
Emery’s midfield options already stretched
Boubacar Kamara should be central to Villa’s plans after getting valuable minutes against Borussia Monchengladbach.
John McGinn is the most logical partner if Emery wants experience for the opening weekend.
João Gomes is expected to miss the start of the season after suffering an injury against PSG, while Amadou Onana faces a considerably longer absence following his ACL injury. Brian Madjo is also expected to remain sidelined until at least September.
Those absences reduce Emery’s flexibility before a ball has been kicked in the Premier League.
McGinn also made a strong argument for inclusion with Villa’s goal against Gladbach, while Emi Buendia created it after entering at half-time.
Watkins should return to lead the attack
Ollie Watkins should come straight back into the side after being afforded additional recovery time following England’s World Cup campaign.
Brian Madjo’s injury increases his importance, while Tammy Abraham must also be assessed after leaving the Gladbach friendly following an awkward slip.
Alejandro Garnacho provides the obvious direct threat from the left.
On the opposite flank, Alysson deserves serious consideration after another positive pre-season opportunity. The Brazilian started against Gladbach and has repeatedly looked willing to attack defenders rather than simply recycle possession.
Buendia can then operate centrally behind Watkins.
Villa’s preparations have been disrupted by transfers, injuries and players returning late from international duty.
The Brighton opener will reveal how quickly Emery believes his rebuilt side can move on from all of that.
And no decision will attract more attention than the name he puts in goal.