Aston Villa are gearing up to face Mexican champions Club America at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday, August 3, in a crucial pre-season friendly. The match comes on the heels of two consecutive defeats for Villa, and manager Unai Emery is eager to turn things around before the Premier League opener against West Ham United.
The Villans have had a tough pre-season tour in the United States so far, suffering a 4-1 loss to Columbus Crew in Ohio and a 2-0 defeat to RB Leipzig in New Jersey. The latter match saw Diego Carlos receive a red card after a heated exchange following Leipzig's second goal. Despite these setbacks, Villa have three more friendlies to play before the start of the Premier League season.
Manager Unai Emery has been busy in the transfer market, strengthening the squad with notable signings like Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana and the return of Cameron Archer and Jaden Philogene. Emery aims to replicate last season's impressive fourth-place finish in the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Club America have had a mixed start to their Liga MX campaign. They recently faced Chelsea in a friendly, losing 3-0, and began their domestic league with a surprising 2-1 defeat to San Luis. However, they have since accumulated six points from four matches and are eager to avoid another setback against Villa.
In their recent defeat to Leipzig, Unai Emery utilised 22 players, including returning stars Jacob Ramsey, Emi Buendía, and John McGinn. Amadou Onana showcased his versatility by playing both in midfield and at centre-back. With first-choice goalkeeper Emi Martínez on holiday following Argentina's Copa America triumph, Robin Olsen stepped in but was later substituted due to injury. This opens the door for either Oliwier Zych or Joe Gauci to start in goal.
Club America are expected to field a strong line-up, with captain Henry Martín leading the attack, supported by playmaker Diego Valdés and winger Javairô Dilrosun. New arrivals Cristian Borja and Igor Lichnovsky are likely to feature in defence.
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup vs Club America
Aston Villa: Gauci, Cash, Bogarde, Torres, Maatsen, Onana, Tielemans, Bailey, McGinn, Rogers, Archer
Club America Predicted Lineup vs Aston Villa
Club America: Malagón, Reyes, Lichnovsky, Cáceres, Borja, R. Sánchez, Dos Santos, Dilrosun, Valdés, E. Sánchez, Martín
Where to Watch Aston Villa vs Club America
The match will take place at Soldier Field on Saturday, August 3, with a kick-off time of 4:30 p.m. local time in Chicago. Fans in the United States can catch the action on the Spanish-language channel TUDN, available for streaming on Fubo with a free trial for new users. Internationally, the match can be streamed on Aston Villa's in-house service, Villa TV.
Aston Villa's Pre-Season Tour
Aston Villa have had a mixed bag of results during their pre-season tour in the USA. They started with two impressive victories against Walsall and Spartak Trnava, but their recent defeats against Columbus Crew and RB Leipzig have raised some concerns about their defensive solidity.
Club America's Recent Form
Club America are currently in the midst of their Liga MX season and have had a mixed bag of results. They recently lost a friendly match against Chelsea 3-0 but have been performing well in their domestic league, accumulating six points from their last four matches.
Key Players to Watch
For Aston Villa, keep an eye on the likes of Leon Bailey, Cameron Archer, and the new signing Amadou Onana. Onana, in particular, is expected to make a big impact after his impressive performances for Everton last season. For Club America, Henry Martin, Diego Valdés, and Javairô Dilrosun are the key players to watch.
What to Expect
This pre-season friendly promises to be an exciting encounter. Aston Villa will be looking to bounce back from their recent defeats and build momentum ahead of the new Premier League season, while Club America will be hoping to maintain their strong form. With both teams showcasing ambition in their preparations and transfers, this match could be a thrilling clash on the shores of Lake Michigan.
The Final Whistle: A Glimpse into the Future
This pre-season friendly serves as a valuable opportunity for both Aston Villa and Club America to test their mettle against a different style of football. With both teams aiming for success in their respective leagues, this clash offers a glimpse into the competitive and exciting seasons ahead.
