After two defeats in the space of four days, Aston Villa aim to get their pre-season back on track with victory over Club America on Saturday, when the teams meet at Chicago's Soldier Field.
While Villa are tuning up for the Premier League and their upcoming Champions League debut, America have made a mixed start to their latest Liga MX campaign and were recently beaten by Chelsea in a friendly.
Match preview
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Aiming to make it three pre-season wins in a row when they arrived Stateside and took on top MLS team Columbus Crew last weekend, Aston Villa instead came away from Ohio with a 4-1 loss - and their second US friendly also ended in defeat.
After travelling to New Jersey, the Villans came up against a recent Champions League mainstay - vital experience for a club embarking on their first campaign in UEFA's top tournament since 1983 - and were beaten 2-0 by RB Leipzig.
To cap off a frustrating night for Unai Emery's men, a fracas following Leipzig's second goal saw Diego Carlos sent off for his second bookable offence.
Nonetheless, Villa have three more friendlies to play before kicking off a new Premier League season against West Ham United later this month, as they aim to replicate last term's fourth-placed finish in the English top flight.
The Second City club have been particularly active in the transfer window as Emery seeks to lower the age profile of a fairly thin squad, notably signing Belgium midfielder Amadou Onana and bringing both Cameron Archer and Jaden Philogene back to Birmingham this summer.
Now, Villa's Basque boss will aim to finish preparing for the challenge ahead with some morale-boosting wins, starting at Soldier Field this weekend.
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Taking a break from their domestic schedule, Club America took on Aston Villa's Premier League rivals Chelsea in a high-profile friendly earlier this week, losing 3-0 to the London club in the US state of Georgia.
In contrast to their two English opponents, Las Aguilas have several weeks of competitive action under their belt already, as the latest Liga MX season got under way last month.
Defending league champions and Supercopa winners, America were shocked on the Apertura's opening matchday, losing 2-1 to San Luis and suffering their first league defeat since April.
Three games later, Andre Jardine's side have picked up six points from four rounds, taking nothing from either of their first two away fixtures.
Mexico's most successful club did post a 2-1 triumph at Juarez before leaving for their money-spinning trip to the States, but after a chastening experience against Chelsea, they will be keen to avoid another setback versus Villa.
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Team News
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Unai Emery used a total of 22 players during Wednesday's defeat to Leipzig, including Jacob Ramsey and Emi Buendia - both returning from injury - and Scotland star John McGinn, who made his first club appearance of the summer.
Big-money buy Amadou Onana demonstrated his versatility by filling in at centre back after starting in midfield, and the former Everton man should play again this weekend.
Fellow new-boys Ian Maatsen, Samuel Iling-Junior, Lewis Dobbin, Ross Barkley and Enzo Barrenechea may also be given more minutes in Chicago.
With number one goalkeeper Emi Martinez on holiday after Argentina's Copa America success, Robin Olsen deputised in midweek; however, the Swedish stopper was withdrawn due to injury, so either his replacement Oliwier Zych or Australia international Joe Gauci should start between the posts.
Meanwhile, America captain Henry Martin - who scored the winner in last term's championship playoff triumph - is set to start up front for the Mexican champions.
Chilean playmaker Diego Valdes should feature in midfield, with former Feyenoord winger Javairo Dilrosun posing a threat on the right flank; recent arrivals Cristian Borja and Igor Lichnovsky are likely to form part of a back four.
Club America possible starting lineup:
Malagon; Reyes, Lichnovsky, Caceres, Borja; R. Sanchez, Dos Santos; Dilrosun, Valdes, E. Sanchez; Martin
Aston Villa possible starting lineup:
Gauci; Cash, Bogarde, Torres, Maatsen; Onana, Tielemans; Bailey, McGinn, Rogers; Archer
We say: Club America 2-2 Aston Villa
Although they have a head start in terms of match-fitness, America have been vulnerable at the back since returning to action; therefore, an Aston Villa squad featuring several fresh faces - but still missing some international stars - can finish their US trip with a score draw.
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Jonathan O'Shea
