Brighton are set to be without four players for Sunday’s Premier League opener against Aston Villa as Fabian Hürzeler prepares for his side’s second competitive game in four days.
Yankuba Minteh, Carlos Baleba, Stefanos Tzimas and Evan Ferguson are all currently listed as unavailable for the meeting with Unai Emery’s side at the Amex Stadium.
The absences leave Brighton particularly short in attacking areas after they were held to a goalless draw by Tromsø in the Conference League on Thursday.
Sports Mole’s latest Brighton injury list has all four players ruled out of Sunday’s fixture.
Brighton lose Yankuba Minteh and Carlos Baleba for Aston Villa
Minteh represents arguably Brighton’s biggest confirmed absence.
The winger is facing an extended spell on the sidelines with a leg injury and is not expected back until later in the autumn.
His importance has been underlined by interest from Liverpool.
The Times reports that Brighton have rejected a £50million offer for the 22-year-old despite his current injury, with Minteh expected to be sidelined for around two months.
Baleba is another significant absentee.
Read Aston Villa reported earlier this week that the midfielder was facing uncertainty ahead of the Villa game, with an ankle problem keeping him out of Thursday’s European fixture.
The Cameroon international is also the subject of major transfer interest from Manchester United.
Tzimas is unavailable with a knee injury, while Ferguson remains sidelined by an ankle problem.
Aston Villa handed more Brighton information
Villa already received a useful look at Sunday’s opponents on Thursday evening.
Brighton were held 0-0 by Tromsø despite dominating possession and registering 25 attempts.
Hürzeler rotated elements of his side in Norway but was still unable to find a breakthrough.
Villa will have their own selection issues to resolve before Sunday, but Brighton’s current injury situation gives Emery greater clarity over several players he will not have to prepare to face.
Supporters can find the full TV and streaming details for Brighton against Aston Villa here.
With the Premier League opener now only two days away, the remaining question is whether Hürzeler provides any late positive injury news before the teams meet at the Amex.
