Aston Villa and Brighton are widely seen as two of the Sky Bet Championship’s top teams on paper but, surprisingly, only Brighton got off to a good start.
After coming down from the Premier League, Aston Villa recruited heavily in the summer, bringing in some top quality players.
However, they did not reap the rewards of doing this under Roberto di Matteo but have enjoyed an upturn in form since the arrival of Steve Bruce.
Brighton have begun the season in contrasting fashion, as they currently sit 2nd in the table, behind league leaders Newcastle.
The Seagulls have done well to bounce straight back from last season's disappointment, and they look to be stronger this season, than they were last.
Both side have some real quality in their ranks, and if they joined to make one team, it would be a real force.
This was evidenced in last Friday's 1-1 draw, which was a thrilling contest.
Here, I will look at the combined starting eleven from Aston Villa and Brighton.
GK: David Stockdale
Stockdale was a huge factor in Brighton’s success last year, producing some fantastic performances to win Brighton some valuable points, as he finished up with the 4th highest number of clean sheets in the league.
Stockdale is a great shot stopper but he can play with his feet as well, something he needs to be able to do well when playing under Chris Hughton.
RB: Bruno
The Brighton skipper played a key role at right back last season, being solid defensively and helping to organise Brighton at the back, which lead to them getting so many clean sheets.
Bruno’s primary focus is his defensive duties; he makes sure he is solid defensively before getting forward to supplement the attack which is admirable in a full back.
CB: James Chester
Chester arrived at Villa Park in the summer from Premier League Hull City and has made an immediate impact for Villa, putting in some great defensive performances.
Not only is Chester a great defender, he is very good on the ball too, making him the perfect modern day centre back and ideal for Bruce’s Villa team.
He is comfortable to have the ball at the back and look to retain possession for his side.
CB: Lewis Dunk
Dunk was outstanding at the back for Brighton last season, which lead to him being linked with a much-deserved move to the Premier League.
Dunk is a great defender but also good on the ball, a combination that all top Championship centre backs need.
He is also a great player to have at set pieces, with Dunk having a reputation of being a goalscoring centre back.
LB: Jordan Amavi
Amavi got off to a flying start for Villa last season but he suffered a nasty injury in November which ruled the attack-minded left back out for the rest of the season.
The Frenchman will bomb up and down the left wing all afternoon, supplying crosses for the strikers, whilst not forgetting his defensive duties.
Amavi is a key player for Villa - his energy down the left side is a great option for Villa.
RM: Anthony Knockaert
Knockaert is widely thought to be one of the best players in the Championship.
He signed for the Seagulls in January and was key figure as Brighton came so close to promotion.
Knockaert loves to run at defenders and his trickery often creates chances for himself and others.
CM: Beram Kayal
Kayal was another key figure for the Seagulls last season, putting in some key performances in centre midfield, doing the dirty work that certainly didn’t go unnoticed among Brighton fans.
Kayal is great at winning the ball back but his game is based on far more than that.
He is tidy in possession of the ball and has the eye for a pass that will cut a defence open, which has made him a target for many clubs.
CM: Dale Stephens
Stephens established himself as one of the best central midfielders in the league last season, which caught the eye of Premier League duo Crystal Palace and Burnley, who both had bids rejected for him over the summer.
Stephens is a very tidy player in the middle of the park, with his ball retention a key part of his game.
He is also a grafter in midfield and is prepared to do the hard work going back towards his own goal.
LM: Albert Adomah
Adomah was one of Villa’s many summer signings who took the step down from the Premier League to come and play for Villa in an attempt to rebuild his career, after falling out of favour at Middlesbrough.
Adomah is a defender's worst nightmare; he is direct and loves to take his full back on, with his blistering pace helping him greatly.
Adomah also has a great end product, whether that’s a cross or a shot and he got the assist for Villa's goal against Brighton.
ST: Ross McCormack
McCormack joined Villa in the summer from fellow Championship side Fulham with the goal of finally getting his shot at the Premier League.
McCormack has played most of his career as a centre forward but has recently adopted a role behind the striker.
He likes to pick the ball up in the space between defence and midfield to try and create goals from further out.
McCormack gets in the team ahead of Brighton’s Glenn Murray because McCormack has a bit more to his game in a creative sense
ST: Jonathan Kodjia
Kodjia signed for Villa in summer from Bristol City in what was a Championship record fee and he has already showed signs that he is worth that fee now that he is scoring freely.
Kodjia gives Villa an outlet up top and his pace is a valuable asset.
He is lethal in front of goal and only needs one chance to score, which is the sign of a great striker.
Brighton and Aston Villa fans - is there anything you would change here? Who would you select? Let us know in the comments box below...