Aston Villa prepare for upcoming pre-season friendlies

Steve Bruce’s Aston Villa is in Portugal for some pre-season training under the sun. Soon, however, the Claret and Blues return to the U.K. for some friendlies, all before a trip to Germany.

It might look like fun in the sun, but Aston Villa is undergoing some rugged double sessions on their pre-season training trip in The Algarve, Portugal.

Steve Bruce’s men will be there for a few more days before a return to the United Kingdom. Aston Villa face Telford and Kidderminster on Wednesday, July 12th in their first pre-season fixture.

The entire list can be seen here. Shrewsbury Town and nearby Walsall follow on July 15th and 18 respectively. Then follows a trip to Germany for a small competition on July 23rd – 25th. Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem round out Germany training before a final return to the United Kingdom. Aston Villa face Tamworth on the 28th and Watford on the 29th as the final pre-season fixtures.

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The latter of which is a tribute match to the late Graham Taylor, who passed away on January 12th. The match is held at Villa Park.

Seven days later, Aston Villa begin the season at home against Bruce’s former employers, Hull City Tigers. We covered here why Aston Villa have a crucially important first four matches to the season. It’s a crowded fixture with four matches in 11 days.

For many of these early friendlies, most Villa players will play 45 minutes max.

Bruce will probably switch out the entire starting eleven at halftime with another eleven.

Something worth noting: these early friendlies probably won’t indicate preferred players or formation at this point in July.