Whether there end up being a number of new players yet to be added or Unai Emery is able to go out with a similar cast from last season, there will be a lot to potentially learn from this year's preseason matchups.
Managers will each approach the weeks before the league fixtures themselves begin. It can certainly be an opportunity for Emery to take a look at some of the younger players or newcomers in a first-team setting. Considering the incredible run of form toward the end of the Premier League that was needed to be in a position to qualify for Champions League, the Spaniard may very well end up giving a more complete look at how Villa will play during the 2025-2026 season.
Villa have announced two additional friendlies. Emery's men will face Eintracht Frankfurt on July 26 and AS Roma on August 6.
The match against the Bundesliga side will take place in the United States in Louisville, Kentucky, at the Lynn Family Stadium. Their local fixture against the Serie A team will be at Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium.
As mentioned, how the managers in question end up lining up for these ones will depend, and it would be silly to engage in too much guesswork regarding how long starting XI members for all of the involved clubs will play in these games.
Aston Villa fans eagerly await return
Anymore, though, depending on what the boss feels is needed at the time, these encounters are becoming more of a true early glimpse of the sides. For Villa, it will be important to remain competitive in the games and look as sharp as possible early on.
Yes, there will always be room for improvement. It is always better not to need to play catch-up later on versus starting the campaign off strong. For Villa fans, either way, it will be some much-welcomed action from the Villans.