Aston Villa are gearing up for the 2025-26 season, and their pre-season preparations begin with a short trip to face Walsall. This Midlands derby is a traditional warm-up game held at the Bescot Stadium, and both clubs will be looking to fine-tune their squads ahead of the new campaign.
Villa's European Ambitions
Despite a strong showing in the FA Cup and Champions League last season, Aston Villa narrowly missed out on a top-five Premier League finish, securing sixth place and a spot in the Europa League. Unai Emery's side will be aiming for another successful run in Europe and a higher league placing this time around.
The Villans have already returned to training and have a busy pre-season schedule ahead. After Walsall, they'll be heading to Germany to play Hansa Rostock, followed by a trip to the USA to face St Louis and Nashville. They'll also face Eintracht Frankfurt, Roma, Marseille, and Villarreal before the Premier League season kicks off with a home game against Newcastle United.
Team News and Possible Lineups
Several Villa youngsters are expected to feature against Walsall, giving Emery a chance to assess their potential. New signing Marco Bizot might not be ready to play just yet. However, one player who will be missing is Sil Swinkels, who is scheduled for a medical ahead of a loan move to a League One club. The identity of the club is currently unknown, but it's suggested to be a side with a strong relationship with Villa.
Swinkels spent the second half of last season on loan at Bristol Rovers, gaining valuable experience in League One. This new loan move will provide him with further opportunities to develop. Expect to see a mix of experienced players and promising youngsters as Emery looks to build momentum and integrate new signings into the squad.
Aston Villa have dominated recent pre-season encounters with Walsall, winning nine and drawing three of their last 12 meetings. While pre-season results aren't everything, Villa will be keen to maintain their winning record and build confidence ahead of a demanding season.