Steven Gerrard has started his Aston Villa career with a much-needed win after his side defeated Brighton in Birmingham.

A 2-0 victory was sealed by late goals from Ollie Watkins and Tyrone Mings.

Villa were made to wait until the 84th minute for the breakthrough as the Seagulls proved a tough nut to crack in a close match.

And Mings cemented the win in with a minute to go, sending the Scouser racing out of the dugout in delight.

It's the perfect start for the Liverpool legend who departed Rangers last week after three years at the helm.

He lifted the Ibrox side's first title in a decade last term when he led the club to its 55th championship following a remarkable unbeaten season.