Aston Villa are back on home soil for the final part of their pre-season schedule as they take on La Liga side Athletic Club in Walsall.
After starting the summer with a pair of comfortable 3-0 wins, Unai Emery’s side endured a pretty wretched tour of the United States. Villa suffered three defeats to the Columbus Crew, RB Leipzig and Club America all while scoring just once.
Emery has heavily rotated and also been without a couple of crucial figures, but supporters will undoubtedly be concerned over the club’s performances so far given the significance of the season that lies ahead.
Home comforts should benefit them on Wednesday as they take on Athletic Club. Ernesto Valverde’s side enjoyed a fine 2023/24 campaign, finishing fifth in La Liga. They have also had a busy summer and this will undoubtedly be their biggest test ahead of their new season opener against Getafe on 15 August.
Here is 90min’s guide to Aston Villa’s upcoming friendly against Athletic Club.
Aston Villa vs Athletic Club H2H Record (All Games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Aston Villa |
Athletic Club |
|---|---|
|
Club America 1-0 Aston Villa – 03/08/24 |
Athletic Club 2-1 Osasuna – 03/08/24 |
|
RB Leipzig 2-0 Aston Villa – 01/08/24 |
Athletic Club 1-0 Eibar – 01/08/24 |
|
Columbus Crew 4-1 Aston Villa – 28/07/24 |
Sporting CP 3-0 Athletic Club – 27/07/24 |
|
Spartak Trnava 0-3 Aston Villa – 20/07/24 |
Athletic Club 2-1 Racing Santander – 24/07/24 |
|
Walsall 0-3 Aston Villa – 17/07/24 |
Burgos 2-1 Athletic Club – 20/07/24 |
|
Country |
TV channel / live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
Villa TV (subscription required) |
|
United States |
Villa TV (subscription required) |
|
Canada |
Villa TV (subscription required) |
Emery used the full extent of his squad out in the US and a long list of Villa stars should get run-outs on Wednesday.
The Spaniard is still without long-term absentees Boubacar Kamara and Tyrone Mings, while reserve goalkeeper Robin Olsen is also nursing a knock.
It remains to be seen when the likes of Ollie Watkins, Emiliano Martinez and Ezri Konsa will make their first starts of the summer.
Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Athletic Club (4-3-3): Gauci; Cash, Bogarde, Torres, Digne; Onana, Tielemans, Barkley; Bailey, Archer, Rogers.
Euro 2024 star Nico Williams continues to be linked with a move away this summer and the winger is yet to return to action for Athletic this summer. His brother, Inaki, will start on…
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