Yahoo Sports Walsall vs Aston Villa live stream & team news
On Wednesday, Aston Villa will start pre-season preparations for the new campaign against Walsall.
It will be a big campaign for Unai Emery’s team, as they are the first Villa squad in over 40 years to participate in European Cup football.
Villa finished in fourth place last season, their highest Premier League finish since the 1995/96 season.
An unprecedented joy
“It’s our dream, it was our dream when we started the season to be here.” Emery said.
“To play Champions League is, after the Premier League, the best. You can play in the Premier League against the best teams in the world, it’s very difficult.
“When you are playing in the Champions League you are playing against the best teams, at the same time, from other countries. And it’s amazing.
“And we are always responsible about the history here, we know the history of Aston Villa is so long and so successful.”
Securing Champions League football for the 2024/25 season is particularly meaningful for captain John McGinn, as he is one of the few players who have contributed to Villa’s journey from the Championship to Europe’s top table.
“Tyrone [Mings] and I were at the club in the Championship, us two, Jacob [Ramsey] and Kortney [Hause] were the only ones remaining,” McGinn said.
“There’s four of us here who were part of that Championship journey.
“We got promoted, we got into the Premier League and were seven points behind with four games to play, we managed to stay in the league.
“We kept building and thankfully we’ve achieved something we haven’t done for 40 years.
“So, on behalf of all the players and staff, we’re over the moon, we’re delighted.”
Walsall vs Aston Villa latest team news
No fewer than six players have joined Aston Villa this summer as Unai Emery prepares for life in the Champions League next season.
Ian Maatsen, Cameron Archer, Samuel Iling-Junior, Lewis Dobbin, Enzo Barrenechea, and Ross Barkley have either already begun settling into their new surroundings or will do so in the forthcoming weeks, with Douglas Luiz being the most notable departure.
None of Villa’s international players are expected here, with Emi Martinez and Ollie Watkins playing in their respective continental tournament finals.
Walsall finished 11th in League Two last season. Former club defender Mat Sadler has been in charge since 2023.
This summer, Josh Gordon and Charlie Lakin joined as free agents, both having most recently played at Burton Albion.
David Okagbue and Tommy Simkin relocated from Stoke U21, while Connor Barrett, another free agent, comes from Fylde.
How to watch Walsall vs Aston Villa Live
Walsall and Aston Villa kicks off on Wednesday, 17 July, at 7.30pm (UK time) and will be streamed live in the UK on VillaTV.
