Brighton and Hove Albion thrashed La Liga opponents in a convincing 4-0 victory over Villarreal at the Amex.
First-half goals from Joao Pedro and Danny Welbeck put the Seagulls in front before the impressive Yankuba Minteh scored a deserved third and Welbeck added a fourth from the spot, converting an 85th-minute penalty.
Head coach Fabian Hürzeler looked at around 20 players in total and will have been impressed with Albion’s work rate as the Premier League is due to start at Everton next Saturday (17 August)
Both sides had chances to score early. Arnaut Danjuma hit the post after just 30 seconds and Albion responded as Minteh headed Welbeck’s cross wide of the goal.
Joao Pedro put the Seagulls ahead in the 15th minute with a strike into the top corner from 20 yards after Mitoma set him up.
Mitoma and Welbeck had chances and, for the visitors, Danjuma was denied by Jan Paul van Hecke’s block as the openings came thick and fast.
Brighton doubled their lead six minutes before the break when Welbeck was played in by Minteh.
The Gambia international, who turned 20 last month, proved as busy off the ball as he was effective when he had possession.
Albion took hold of the game after the break substitute, with Jeremy Sarmiento forcing Diego Conde into a decent save.
Valentin Barco’s pass sent Mitoma scurrying away on goal but Conde saved his effort.
Minteh picked up the loose ball in the box and fired it home from close range.
Simon Adingra almost added to the scoreline before Welbeck won a penalty and scored from the spot for the time penalty in a week five minutes from the end.
Albion are scheduled to head to Everton next Saturday in the Premier League opener at Goodison Park for the stadium’s final top-flight season.
