Late goals from Ollie Watkins and Tyrone Mings gave Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa reign the perfect start with victory over Brighton at Villa Park.

Ashley Young picked up the ball deep in his own half and drove forward before releasing Watkins down the left, who cut in and curled past Jason Steele to send Gerrard and Villa into pandemonium with six minutes to go.

Mings sealed with the win with stoppage time approaching when he tapped into an empty net after Adam Webster had cut out a dangerous cross at the back post.

Gerrard, who joined from Rangers and replaced Dean Smith during the international break, was animated throughout, with the game disjointed and lacking tempo for large periods.

Leandro Trossard had a left-footed drive saved for Brighton, while Tariq Lamptey also saw an effort saved by Emi Martinez.