Aston Villa are back in the U.S. of A. with a Texas double-header starting this evening against FC Dallas (8pm Dallas-time), or early morning (2am UK-time), depending where you live. The game against Houston Dynamo follows on the 26th July at the same times.
After taking in Philadelphia, Chicago and Portland two years ago, there’s no doubt the North American based Villans are looking forward to their return. The last stateside trip will be best remembered for seeing Portland Timbers mascot Timber Joey in fall flow and also for actor Tom Hanks finally getting a chance to see his Villa boys.
This time round the stateside trip was initially thought to be potentially about big business, with some Villa fan forums thinking the keys to Villa Park were going to be handed over by Randy Lerner to a potential Texan buyer for the club. Unfortunately not.
For Villa boss Paul Lambert, the time in Texas is very much the quiet before the storm of what will be a very interesting season ahead. The club are in a paralyzed limbo with no sale in sight and suffering internal turmoil with the club’s CEO recently walking out.
With a reputation tarnished by two below-standard seasons with Villa, it’s a chance for Lambert to really impress with supporter’s hopes resting largely in his hands. If he fails, it will be three strikes and he’s out, but a worse fate may await the club, judging by their league finishes under Lambert.
Still, if Benteke makes it back sooner rather than later and the club can keep hold of Vlaar, with the return to fitness of Okore and Kozak, plus the return of the exiled bomb squad and three new signings, Villa will boast the best squad Lambert has had at his disposal.
Whatever happens, it should be one of the most interesting and vital seasons in the club’s recent history.
So on the eve of Villa’s matches in Texas (it feels weird calling it a ‘tour’), MOMS wanted to help get the word out to Villa fans based in the states to the various Villa supporters clubs out there for them. The list below would also be useful for any Villa fans traveling to North America during the season and in need of some local knowledge and fellow Villans to watch Villa with over a few beers (don’t be shy!).
Thanks to Simon Leach of the Chicago Villa Supporters club for compiling the below list. If you don’t have facebook and want to get in touch with your local group or want help starting your own club drop Simon an email on: avfcusa1000@gmail.com
If you want you club adding to the list or have a Twitter address to add, just comment below. UTV.
USA Aston Villa Supporter Clubs
The name in brackets denotes the club’s chairman
Chicago (Simon Leach):
Detroit (Mike Pearson)
Seattle (Chris Fetters):
Arizona (Bill Green):
Boston (Ross Goldman)
Northern Illinois (Mike Reed)
Denver (Mark Altherr)
California (Rick Leong)
New York (Donal Neligan)
San Diego (Simon Tissington)
St Louis (Conrad Mortimer)
Florida (Brad Dunbar)
Washington DC (Keith Campbell)
Philadelphia (Tim Hyland)
Aston Villa Canada Supporters Clubs
Toronto (Phil Wallace)
