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Aston Villa to face Union, Fire, Timbers in summer friendlies

Aston Villa 1 (Getty Images)

Aston Villa is coming stateside for a trio of friendlies against MLS clubs this summer.

Currently boasting a roster with players like Shay Given, Darren Bent and Gabriel Agbonlahor, Aston Villa will kick off its preseason tour of the United States with a match versus the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park on July 18. The Villans will then visit Toyota Park to take the Chicago Fire on July 21 before wrapping up their U.S. tour on July 24 with a game versus the Timbers at JELD-WEN Field.

The Fire's meeting with the Villans will be their first versus the EPL club. The game could also mark a homecoming of sorts for goalkeeper Brad Guzan and defender Eric Lichaj, as the two Illinois natives are former Chicago Fire Premier players.

For the Timbers, the friendly with Aston Villa will be their second against a European club this season. Portland recently announced a friendly with La Liga club Valencia on May 23.

What do you think of Philadelphia, Portland and Chicago hosting Aston Villa? Planning on attending any of the matche? Think Guzan and Lichaj will still be with the club come July?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Welcome to the party… this happens every season and typically always happens to the Fire. Typically the Fire played many of their friendlies during the week and never altered their schedule (without being altered by other teams picking up weekend friendlies).

    This switch was announced back on February 23.

    I dislike these moves too, unfortunately, they are a part of the system now.

    Reply
  2. Owners care about them very much. They’re traditional money-makers, and teams will certainly take them when they can. Villa’s not a big name to casual fans, but Real Madrid and Man United (who the fire played in sold out Soldier Field last summer) are well-known and bring in the dollar bills.

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  3. Who cares about midseason friendlies? These events undermine the legitimacy of the MLS and devalue the MLS regular season product. All the more reason for a Mexican-style calendar.

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  4. As a Villa supporter, I have the same feelings. Randy Lerner knows you don’t get a good draft pick for finishing in the bottom 3, right?

    Reply
  5. Will Philly have a win by that point in the season? Or is that all part of the Great Nowak’s Master Youth Plan?

    Reply
  6. so tfc now have to play chicago during the middle of world cup qualifying so chicago could play a useless friendly against aston villa

    does not make much sense to me

    Reply

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