Danny Welbeck’s first Brighton goal helped them achieve a first-ever win at Villa Park despite a late VAR scare which saw a late Villa penalty award overturned.
Welbeck, who signed after being released by Watford, ran half the length of the pitch to open the scoring after 12 minutes.
Villa levelled through Ezri Konsa but Solly March then hit the winner as England hero Jack Grealish failed to rouse his team.
The match ended with Michael Oliver chalking off a late Villa penalty in stoppage time
In late injury-time drama, Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey was sent off after catching Grealish late.