Marco Bizot is in line to start in goal for Aston Villa against Brighton on Sunday, aiming to prove a point after a costly error in last season's fixture. According to a report from Yahoo Sports, the Dutch goalkeeper will be relied upon as the Villans begin their Premier League campaign at the Amex Stadium.
What happened in the last Brighton match?
Aston Villa secured a dramatic 4-3 victory away to Brighton in December 2025. Ollie Watkins scored twice, with Amadou Onana and Donyell Malen also finding the net in a result that boosted the team's season. However, the win was nearly derailed by an early mistake from Bizot. He came for a cross and missed the ball completely, allowing Jan Paul van Hecke to score Brighton's opening goal. The keeper made four saves that night but his long ball accuracy was only 38 percent.
Can Villa trust Bizot this season?
Manager Unai Emery has publicly backed his goalkeeper, previously calling Bizot "a fantastic goalkeeper" and "a fantastic guy." The 34-year-old's statistics from his debut Premier League season provide a solid foundation for that trust. He averaged 2.92 saves and 1.08 high claims per 90 minutes. His distribution saw him complete 28.31 accurate passes per 90. With some uncertainty in the goalkeeping department at Villa Park, Bizot represents a stable option for Emery as the new season kicks off. You can see how he compares to the rest of the squad on our stats page.
How does Villa's squad look for the opener?
The team heads into the new season with a refreshed look after a summer of change. Key players like Ollie Watkins, who scored 19 league goals last term, and Douglas Luiz, who provided 10 assists, are expected to be central figures again. The full squad list is available on our squad page. The opening match is part of a challenging start to the campaign, with fixtures against several top-half teams from last season scheduled in the first two months.
| Player | Position | 2025/26 Key Stat |
|---|---|---|
| Ollie Watkins | Forward | 19 Goals |
| Douglas Luiz | Midfielder | 10 Assists |
| Emiliano Martínez | Goalkeeper | 12 Clean Sheets |
| Ezri Konsa | Defender | 34 Appearances |
This data, from our own records, shows the core contributors Villa will depend on. The team finished in a European qualification spot last season and will be aiming to build on that success.
What does this mean for Villa's season start?
Beginning the season with a positive result on the road is important for momentum. A solid performance from Bizot would settle any early nerves and allow the team's attacking talent to focus on winning the game. The match is the first of 38, and securing points early can be valuable, as shown in the standings from previous campaigns. Emery's faith in his experienced keeper suggests he views consistency as key during a period of transition. How the team performs in these opening weeks will set the tone for their ambitions this year.
