Aston Villa’s Pre-Season Tour: The Ins and Outs Ahead of Saturday’s Friendly with Columbus Crew
The claret and blues are heading to the States! Aston Villa’s pre-season tour kicks off this weekend, with a highly-anticipated friendly match against MLS outfit Columbus Crew at MAPFRE Stadium. With the transfer window barely open, the Villa faithful will be keen to catch a glimpse of new recruits like Amadou Onana and Ian Maatsen, not to mention summer arrivals like Emiliano Buendia.
Before the curtain-raiser, 90min is here to guide you through everything you need to know. Let’s break it down!
Current Form
The Crew is flying high in the Eastern Conference, hunting for Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami atop the table. Although their playoff aspirations won’t rely heavily on the result, expect an encouraging display from Caleb Porter’s charges against their high-calibre visitors.
Team News
New Injury Update
Columbus goalkeeper Evan Bush won’t participate due to an arm injury but is expected to recover ahead of their MLS’ return in August. We await updates on Aston Villa’s Tyrone Mings, Boubacar Kamara, and Kortney Hause, who have missed their two friendlies with niggles.
Projected Lineups
Columbus Crew:
• 4-4-2
Hagen, Moreira, Camacho, Cheberko, Matan; Rossi, Zawadzki, Arfsten, Ramirez, Farsi
Hernandez
A. Williams (left midfield position vacant due to player unrest)
Aston Villa:
• 4-2-2-2
Olsen; Cash, Carlos, Torres, Maatsen
Dendoncker, Barrenechea; McGinn, Bailey
Dobbin, Archer (Aran Barać dropped following wobbly outing at Walsall)
Potential Starter? Amadou Onana!
Buendía
After impressive friendlies with Spartak Trnava (0-3 win) and Walsall (0-3 triumph), Unai Emery could continue with Emiliano Buendía (debutant last year but hampered by an injured knee).
Call of Action:
Catch this electric duel with @ColumbusCrew at 2 pm EDT. You won’t miss #AstonVilla! And do follow us on all social media platforms for real-time updates! #TransferUpdates #SoccerNews #AvFC
How would you feel if Villians Ollie Watkins didn’t make an appearance tonight?
Predictions ahead!
For your fix on @premierleague stories and international #FootballTransfer rumors
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