Aston Villa vs Athletic Club: Preview, predictions and lineups

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.

What time does Aston Villa vs Athletic Club kick-off?

• Location: Walsall, England
• Stadium: Poundland Bescot Stadium
• Date: Wednesday 7 August
• Kick-off Time: 19:30 BST / 14:30 ET / 11:30 PT

Aston Villa vs Athletic Club H2H Record (All Games)

• Aston Villa: 2 wins
• Athletic Club: 0 wins
• Draws: 2

• Last meeting: Aston Villa 2-1 Athletic Club (4 November 1997) - UEFA Cup

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Aston Villa vs Athletic Club on TV and live stream

• 📺 WATCH THE GAME LIVE ON VILLATV - SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED

Aston Villa team news

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

Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Athletic Club (4-3-3): Gauci; Cash, Bogarde, Torres, Digne; Onana, Tielemans, Barkley; Bailey, Archer, Rogers.

Athletic Club team news

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 Wednesday, though.

Unai Simon is nursing a wrist injury which could keep him out for the first few weeks of the season, while Julen Agirrezabala is dealing with a minor back problem and unlikely to play in Walsall.

Valverde otherwise has a full complement of players to choose from.

Athletic Club predicted lineup vs Aston Villa

Athletic Club predicted lineup vs Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Padilla; De Marcos, Yeray, Vesga, Lekue; Prados, Herrera; Berenguer, Sancet, I. Williams; Guzureta.

Aston Villa vs Athletic Club score prediction

There weren't many positives to take from their tour of the States, although Emery won't read too much into their poor run of summer results given the rotation he's overseen and players he's been without.

He will, however, want to oversee an improvement in performance levels before their Premier League opener against West Ham.

They should benefit from being back on British shores in midweek, with Athletic Club doing the travelling. The Spaniards have produced a mixed bag in pre-season but this will undoubtedly be competitive.

This one could go either way, but Villa should get their second domestic win of pre-season.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Athletic Club

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