Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler highlighted how his side raised their game on the first day of the top-flight campaign.
The German was pleased with the hosts’ composure after the break in their comfortable victory over a depleted Villa side.
De Cuyper was responsible for an own goal and a strike of his own before Hinshelwood struck twice within 60 seconds.
The visitors endured a nightmare opening period, compounded when Gomes was shown a red card.
Costinha struck the woodwork after the interval while Kostoulas went close, but Brighton collected all three points without too much difficulty.
Hurzeler noted that the opening exchanges were challenging in terms of controlling proceedings.
Villa came out firing, dominating the ball and creating a couple of openings.
Brighton seized control through aggressive pressing, winning individual battles and forcing errors, which led to the opener.
From that point, the hosts were superior in terms of keeping the ball, organisation and positioning.
They found the net with some impressive finishes and began playing their natural game, with the dismissal completely altering the contest.
The second half showcased real intelligence because managing the surplus effectively requires balancing retention with penetration.
They limited Villa’s opportunities and prevented any momentum shift.
Hurzeler felt his team demonstrated real nous in that period. While scoring was the aim, he was satisfied with the measured approach.
Brighton introduced three fresh faces from the side that began in Norway and appeared more dynamic and clinical.
When questioned about whether the midweek trip had been beneficial, Hurzeler acknowledged the complexity.
He explained that while there is no definitive science, the conditions differed significantly, moving from an artificial surface to their home ground with natural turf.
However, competing in a match where the outcome truly mattered could potentially help players find their rhythm.
Pre-season fixtures often lack that genuine competitive edge, so experiencing that intensity proved valuable for certain squad members.
Not every player involved in this match featured in Tromso.
There could be advantages to that approach, though he admitted it remains unproven.
Brighton now turn their attention to the second leg of their European tie, where affordable pricing and a draw from the first meeting are expected to boost attendance numbers.