Football fans have an exciting fixture to look forward to as England’s Aston VillaAston Villa prepares to take on Italy’s AS Roma in a pre-season friendly match. This marks the first time these two historic clubs will face each other, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the contest. We’ll break down the latest team news and provide an Aston Villa vs Roma prediction.
How Are Both Teams Performing?
Aston Villa enters the match after a successful, undefeated pre-season tour in the United States. The team showed its attacking power but will look to tighten its defense after a 2-2 draw with Nashville in their last outing. Manager Unai Emery will have his key players back but must manage without the injured Andres Garcia and Ross Barkley.
Meanwhile, AS Roma is enjoying a flawless pre-season under new manager Gian Piero Gasperini. The Italian side has won all its friendly games without conceding a single goal. Their impressive run includes a stunning 9-0 victory over UniPomezia, which demonstrates the team’s potent attack and strong defensive organization. With a fully fit squad, Gasperini has plenty of options to choose from.
What are the Predicted Lineups?
Both managers will likely use this game to finalize their starting squads for the upcoming season. The Aston Villa vs Roma lineups could give us a glimpse of their plans.
Aston Villa XI: Martinez (GK), Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen, Kamara, Tielemans, Malen, McGinn, Rogers, Watkins.
AS Roma XI: Svilar (GK), Celik, Mancini, Ndicka, Wesley, Kone, El Aynaoui, Angelino, Soule, Baldanzi, Ferguson.
Match Prediction and Kick-Off Time
This first-ever meeting between the two clubs promises to be a tactical battle. While Aston Villa possesses a slight statistical edge based on ELO ratings, Roma’s impenetrable defense under Gasperini makes them a tough opponent. The match has all the makings of a tightly contested draw.
Given Roma’s defensive strength and Villa’s attacking talent, our Aston Villa vs Roma prediction is a 1-1 draw.
Be sure to tune in for the kick-off time on August 7, 2025, to see these two European giants compete for the first time in their history.