Aston Villa host Real Sociedad at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium on Tuesday with kick-off at 7.30pm, after the fixture was rescheduled from the previous Saturday.
Villa continue their preparations for the new season following trips to Walsall and Porto, while Real Sociedad arrive in the Midlands after beginning their own preseason with victory over Wolves.
Villa head into the campaign as reigning Europa League champions following their triumph in Istanbul. They also secured another top-four Premier League finish, ending the season on 65 points. Their underlying numbers supported that achievement, averaging 1.35 xG and 1.22 xGA in home matches, reflecting a side that consistently controlled games at Villa Park.
Real Sociedad endured a more difficult domestic season, finishing 10th in La Liga with 46 points. Their away record was particularly disappointing, collecting just 17 points from 19 matches to rank 12th in the away table. The underlying numbers suggested they deserved slightly better. Their 52 xPTS ranked eighth in La Liga, six points higher than their actual return, indicating their overall performances were stronger than the final league table suggested despite their struggles on the road.
Going forward, Real Sociedad remained one of the better attacking sides in Spain. They averaged 4.6 shots on target per match, the sixth-highest figure in La Liga, while their 101 big chances created ranked fifth.
Their 12.6% conversion rate also reflected a clinical edge in front of goal, although 820 touches inside the opposition penalty area ranked only ninth, suggesting efficiency rather than sustained territorial dominance drove much of their attacking success.
Their league campaign was complicated by managerial instability. Sergio Francisco departed in December before caretaker Ion Ansotegi took temporary charge, with Pellegrino Matarazzo eventually appointed on a permanent basis later that month. The German-American coach has now overseen the squad's return to preseason training at Zubieta as he prepares for his first full campaign in charge.
Real Sociedad opened preseason with a 2-1 comeback victory over Wolves at Bescot Stadium. Rodrigo Gomes gave Wolves an early lead before Orri Oskarsson equalised shortly before half-time and Alex Lebarbier struck the winner late in the second half. Alvaro Odriozola remains unavailable through injury, although Mikel Oyarzabal's 15 league goals last season ensure Real Sociedad still possess genuine attacking quality, although he is unlikely to play here given his World Cup involvement.
Villa were beaten 2-1 by Porto in their previous outing despite another encouraging display from a youthful side, with Luka Lynch scoring their goal. Unai Emery continues to manage a disrupted squad following the departures of Youri Tielemans to Manchester United, Morgan Rogers to Chelsea and the expected exit of Lucas Digne to Paris Saint-Germain. Amadou Onana, Alysson and Boubacar Kamara also remain unavailable through injury, while players involved at the World Cup are still expected to be absent as they complete their extended breaks.
How the bookies view it
At the time of writing there are no odds available for this fixture.
Head to head: First meeting
This will be the first meeting between Aston Villa and Real Sociedad.
Player to watch: Orri Oskarsson in good form at the start of pre-season
Orri Oskarsson made an immediate impact by scoring against Wolves and looks well placed to establish himself under Pellegrino Matarazzo. Although Mikel Oyarzabal remains the headline name in Real Sociedad's attack, Oskarsson's performance in preseason suggests he could begin the campaign with a prominent role.
Last season he started only eight league matches but still scored nine goals from just 20 appearances, an outstanding return that underlines his finishing ability whenever opportunities arise.
Predicted line-ups
Real Sociedad (4-2-3-1): Marrero; Martin, Zubeldia, Javi Lopez, Aramburu; Aguirre, Herrera; Zakharyan, Barrenetxea, Ochieng; Oskarsson.
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Bizot; Cash, Mings, Cisse, Maatsen; Bogarde, Barkley; Hemmings, Bailey, Lynch; Burrowes.
Anything else catch the eye?
This feels like Villa's toughest preseason test so far. Walsall and Porto both provided useful workouts, but Real Sociedad offer a different challenge given the quality throughout their squad and their ability to create chances despite an underwhelming La Liga campaign.
Their underlying numbers suggest they were a better side than 10th place implies, particularly going forward, where they ranked among the league's stronger teams for shots on target and big chances created.
Villa's own attacking play has also been encouraging despite the upheaval during the summer. George Hemmings, Luka Lynch and several younger players have all taken their opportunities, while Emery continues to build fitness across a squad still missing several senior players through injury and extended World Cup breaks.
Neither defence is likely to resemble the one that starts the competitive season. Villa continue to integrate younger players following a busy transfer window, while Real Sociedad's away form last season exposed defensive inconsistencies despite their respectable underlying numbers.
With both attacks already showing positive signs during preseason and neither manager expected to prioritise defensive solidity over fitness, this has the makings of an open contest.
If markets become available, both teams to score would be the early lean. Both sides possess enough attacking quality to create opportunities, while preseason rotation and unsettled defensive units should increase the likelihood of chances at both ends.
Aston Villa vs Real Sociedad Betting Tips & Predictions
Further Reading
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