Aston Villa will take on Roma in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday, 6 August, as their preparations for the new Premier League season step up a gear.
With less than two weeks until the start of the new campaign, Unai Emery will be keen to see more from his squad, especially with a hectic year ahead where they will have to juggle domestic commitments with the Europa League.
Roma aren't quite as pressed as Villa for time, as the Serie A season doesn't start until the following weekend.
How the bookies view it: No odds available
There are no odds available at present for the match between Aston Villa vs Roma. Once they are released, we will update the preview.
Head to head: A first-ever meeting
This is the first time that Aston Villa and Roma have ever faced off before, but it could be the first of a couple of encounters this season, with both clubs set to compete in the Europa League.
Players to watch: Wantaway stars to feature
If rumours are to be believed, then two of the most important players in Aston Villa's revival under Unai Emery, Emi Martinez and Ollie Watkins, are both angling for a move away from Villa Park this summer.
Neither player is getting any younger, and they both perhaps feel it is their last chance at securing a big contract while they are still performing at an elite level.
For Watkins, there is perhaps more to the story. The fact that he was forced to the bench for some of the club's biggest games last season has perhaps put his nose out of joint, and with a move to Manchester United on the cards, this could turn out to be his final ever appearance for Villa.
For Martinez, the same level of interest doesn't appear to be there, which makes the chance of him staying at Villa Park greater.
For Roma, the match is a golden opportunity for new signing, Evan Ferguson, to show what he's capable of. Ferguson will be used to the speed of the English game and has faced off against the Villains twice before.
Predicted line-ups
Unai Emery is expected to select his favourite starting XI for this match due to the close proximity of the club's first Premier League match of the season. Roma will also go in strong, but for them, these matches are more about learning Gian Piero Gasperini's methods, formation and style of play.
Aston Villa: Martinez – Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen – Kamara, Tielemans – Rogers, McGinn, Malen – Watkins
Roma: Svilar – Celik, Mancini, Ndicka – Wesley, Kone, El Aynaoui, Angelino – Baldanzi, Soule, Ferguson
Anything else catch the eye?
Aston Villa have been progressively getting better throughout pre-season, which is the exact trajectory all managers are looking for at this stage of the campaign. The Villains have scored six goals across their last three friendlies. Therefore, Aston Villa to score over 1.5 goals is advised.
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