Match preview: Villa travel south to face Brighton

FixturesBrighton and Hove Albion Women Vs. Aston Villa Women - Sun, Sep 20 2026, 14:00Aston Villa Women are on their travels once again as they head to the South Coast to take on Brighton in gameweek three of the 2026/27 Women's Super League. Natalia Arroyo's side will be looking to bounce back on Sunday afternoon having fallen to a 4-1 defeat to Manchester City last time out. Striker Amalie Vangsgaard netted her first goal in claret and blue against the champions, but it wasn't enough to claim a share of the points at Villa Park. Villa now switch focus to another tough test on the road as they take the long journey south to American Express Stadium.Brighton are somewhat of an unknown quantity this term after the arrival of head coach Arturo Ruiz to replace departing Dario Vidosic on the eve of the campaign. Results wise the Seagulls have made an identical start to Villa, picking up one point from their two fixtures played so far. They ran title contenders Arsenal close in a 1-0 defeat on matchday one, before a dramatic 2-2 draw at Birmingham City last week. Forward Kiko Seike struck in the 95th minute in B9 to notch the side's first point on the board.What do the stats say? Aston Villa have won five of their last seven WSL meetings with Brighton and Hove Albion (D1 L1) Aston Villa have won more Women's Super League games against Brighton (7) than any other opponent they have faced in the competition Both teams have scored in each of Aston Villa’s last eight WSL away games - the only team to see it happen in nine consecutive matches on the road in the competition are Everton between 2011 and 2013 Brighton and Hove Albion are winless across their last five Women’s Super League matches (D3 L2) and could go winless across their opening three games of a WSL campaign for the third time Kiko Seike’s last six WSL goals for Brighton have been game-state changing, either putting them ahead (5) or helping them to equalise (1) - as was the case for last week's stoppage time leveller at St Andrews The Last MeetingAston Villa's previous visit to Brighton came just over a year ago, when the sides played out a 0-0 draw at Broadfield Stadium in September 2025. Rachel Daly hit the crossbar with a fierce strike from 25 yards in the first half, before Euro 2025 breakout star Michelle Agyemang struck the base of the post for the hosts in the second. Villa came agonisingly close to snatching all three points as full-back Lynn Wilms sent a dipping free kick crashing off the crossbar late on. So Natalia Arroyo's side were left to settle for a hard earned point away from home.The Presser: Thoughts from Head Coach ArroyoTeam News Goalkeeper Emily Ramsey has progressed well in her injury recovery and is therefore back available selection for our clash with Brighton. Winger Lily Murphy also returns to the fold after missing last week's 4-1 defeat against parent club Manchester City at Villa Park. As per the player availability update published on Saturday, 20th September, defender Rofiat Imuran, midfielders Oriane Jean-François, Missy Bo Kearns and Jill Baijings, forwards Rachel Daly and Kamilla Melgård, and goalkeepers Ellie Roebuck and Lily Clark remain unavailable for selection. Defender Rachel Maltby remains unavailable after representing England at the Under-20 World Cup.