Aston Villa vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction: Lineups, Team News, Injury And Preview

Aston Villa vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction: Aston Villa and Athletic Bilbao are likely to play out a competitive 1-1 draw in this pre-season friendly, with both teams using the match to fine-tune tactics and assess player fitness.

As Aston Villa’s pre-season preparations continue, Unai Emery’s side is set to face Spanish outfit Athletic Bilbao in a friendly match at Bescot Stadium on Wednesday evening. This encounter provides both teams with a valuable opportunity to fine-tune their tactics and assess player fitness ahead of their respective league campaigns.

Match Details

Date:	Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Time:	7:30 PM BST (6:30 PM GMT)
Venue:	Poundland Bescot Stadium, Walsall, West Midlands

Match Preview

Aston Villa enters this friendly on the back of a challenging pre-season tour in the United States, where they suffered defeats against Columbus Crew, RB Leipzig, and Club America. The Villans will be eager to bounce back and gain some momentum before their Premier League opener against West Ham United.

Athletic Bilbao, on the other hand, comes into this match with a mixed bag of results in their pre-season campaign. The Basque side recently clinched the Basque Cup with a victory over Osasuna, demonstrating their competitive edge even in friendly encounters.

This match presents an intriguing tactical battle between two managers well-versed in Spanish football. Unai Emery, facing his fellow Basques, will be keen to demonstrate the progress his Villa side has made since his arrival. Meanwhile, Ernesto Valverde aims to fine-tune his squad as they prepare for their La Liga campaign and Europa League adventure.

Aston Villa vs Athletic Bilbao Lineups, Formation, Injuries and Team News

Aston Villa Lineup (Probable 4-2-3-1): Torres, Rogers, Archer, McGinn, Onana, Cash, Carlos, Maatsen, Gauci, Barkley, Bailey

Athletic Bilbao (Probable 4-4-2): Prados, Herrera, Yeray, Guruzeta, Djalo, Sancet, I. Williams, Berchiche, De Marcos, Padilla, Paredes

Injured and Unavailable Players

Aston Villa

The following players are unavailable for Aston Villa due to extended leave following international tournaments:

1. Emiliano Martinez – Goalkeeper
2. Ezri Konsa – Defender
3. Ollie Watkins – Forward
4. Jhon Duran – Forward

Athletic Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao will be missing two key players:

Unai Simon – Goalkeeper

Injury: Wrist surgery

Expected return: Approximately 3 months

Dani Vivian – Defender

Status: Unavailable (reason not specified)

These absences will likely impact the tactical decisions of both managers as they prepare their lineups for this friendly encounter.

Where to Watch?

Fans can catch the action live on VillaTV, Aston Villa’s official streaming platform. International viewers may need to check their local listings for broadcast information.

Aston Villa vs Athletic Bilbao Live Streaming and TV Schedule (International)

• International: YouTubeVillaTV

Who Will Win?

Given the experimental nature of pre-season friendlies and the current form of both teams, a closely contested match is anticipated.

Predicted Score: Aston Villa 1-1 Athletic Bilbao

Stats and Form

Aston Villa

• Pre-season form: W-W-L-L-L
• Last season’s Premier League finish: 4th

Athletic Bilbao

• Recent pre-season form: L-W-L-W-W
• Last season’s La Liga finish: 5th

Head-to-Head

These two sides rarely meet in competitive fixtures, making this friendly a unique opportunity for both sets of fans to witness an intriguing cross-league matchup.

Latest News

• Aston Villa has been active in the transfer market, bringing in players like Amadou Onana and welcoming back Cameron Archer and Jaden Philogene from loan spells.
• Athletic Bilbao recently secured the signing of Alvaro Djalo from Braga, adhering to their strict Basque-only transfer policy.

As both teams gear up for their respective league campaigns, this friendly promises to be an engaging affair, offering valuable insights into their preparations and potential strategies for the upcoming season.

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