Albion v Aston Villa reaction: Fabian Hurzeler delighted with 4-0 win

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

Head coach praises an excellent team performance in front of a delighted Amex

Bruce Talbot

2026-08-23T17:45+01:00

Fabian Hurzeler makes a point during Albion's 4-0 win over Aston Villa. 📷Paul Hazlewood

Fabian Hurzeler praised Albion's intensity and professionalism as they made the perfect start to the new Premier League season with a 4-0 Amex win over Aston Villa.

Albion were four-up at the break thanks to doubles from Maxim De Cuyper and man of the match Jack Hinshelwood.

On the overall performance and keeping a clean sheet

"I think we defended well. We had really good out of possession. The first minutes we struggled a little bit. Aston Villa had the ball a lot, they controlled the game, but then more and more we get the control of the game back.

"We scored some nice goals. Of course, the first goal a little bit of luck with Maxi, but afterwards we scored some nice goals. It helped us, it helped our game, it helped our intensity. And then, of course, the red card was a game changer as well. But overall, all the goals we scored were at 11 v 11, so that's positive.

"In the second half we were quite serious, I would say. We had the ball, we controlled the game, we didn't give away the ball too easy. We created some chances, so I think it was a quite mature performance."

On the team's intensity and punishing turnovers

"I think that was definitely key, our intensity, winning personal duels to set the trap and then the right moment to step into it. It's about the last step, it's about how do we accelerate before we arrive at the opponent? I think these are the key details and I think that's what the boys did really well today."

On the importance of a strong start to the season

"It's always important. It's always helpful to win games. But in the end, it was only one game now. It was a good start and now we have to understand why we had this kind of game, and now we have another big challenge ahead of us against Tromso on Thursday."

On managing the second half at 4-0 up

"I think that was the message, to have a good balance between ball speed and also making the right decisions. We still had a few chances. Of course, we wanted to score, but in the end for us the clean sheet was very important. And that was good."

Jack Hinshelwood heads in his first goal. 📷James Boardman

On defensive work leading to an attacking flow

"We were effective out of possession because we had some good ball wins, we won the second balls, and that was quite positive. But overall, I think it's very important to understand that there was hard work against the ball, there was intensity in the one-against-one duels, making the last step in the right moment, try to go for the ball win.

"So we were there in the right moment. We had then also, I think, the luck that we get into a flow, and when you're in a flow then a lot of things can happen, especially with our team because we just have this quality as well. But overall now we have to stay humble. We have to keep working hard because on Thursday we have the next challenge."

On utilising young players in the squad

"We need every player. I think that's part of our identity, that's part of Brighton, that we will get always young players and players full of potential, and it's up to us to develop them. So let's keep pushing them."

On setting high standards moving forward

"That's now up to us to keep these standards. To keep this intensity. To understand why we had this victory. Because in the end, it's about hard work, it's about intensity, it's about doing the basic things right. I think that was the key today and that's why we set the standards high. That's also what I said to the boys, and it's about now always trying to go to your limits because otherwise we have no chance in the Premier League."