Premier League teams Leeds United and Aston Villa have confirmed they will embark on a pre-season tour in Australia in July this year.
The two English sides will square off against each other and A-League Men team Brisbane Roar in the 'Queensland Champions Cup' with all three matches to be played in the Australian state at venues in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Townsville.
Leeds United versus Brisbane Roar at CBUS Super Stadium on July 14 will kick off the three-game Queensland festival, before Aston Villa meet the Whites at Suncorp Stadium on July 17 and the Villans face the Roar at QLD Country Bank Stadium on July 20.
Aston Villa has also announced a match with Manchester United at Perth's Optus Stadium on July 23.
Aston Villa will embark on a pre-season tour of Australia this summer as part of preparations for the 2022/23 season. 🇦🇺
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) April 27, 2022
Leeds United and Brisbane Roar will be our opponents in the #QLDChampionsCup. 🙌
“The tour comes at a crucial stage of our pre-season so the fitness program and the games are important,” Aston Villa boss and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard said.
“We are absolutely delighted to be visiting Australia for the first time in the club’s history."
Leeds manager Jesse Marsch was excited to taking his team Down Under again, with legions of Whites fans connected to the success of former Socceroos star Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka at the Yorkshire club.
“This will be our club’s third playing trip to Australia and I’m very much looking forward to taking the team back,” Marsch said.
Leeds and Aston Villa's journey Down Under means a busy period of friendly fixtures in Australia this year with Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Melbourne Victory playing two matches in Melbourne in July, while La Liga giant Barcelona will take on an A-League All Stars team on May 25 in Sydney.
Aston Villa, Leeds United, Brisbane Roar 2022 match schedule
Date (AEST) | Time (AEST) | Match | Stadium |
---|---|---|---|
Thu July 14 | 7:45 pm | Leeds United v Brisbane Roar | CBUS Super Stadium |
Sun July 17 | 2:35 pm | Aston Villa v Leeds United | Suncorp Stadium |
Wed July 20 | 7:45 pm | Aston Villa v Brisbane Roar | QLD Country Bank Stadium |
Sat July 23 | 7:45 pm | Aston Villa v Manchester United | Optus Stadium |