Premier League Summer Series 2023
Without Aston Villa’s turnaround in fortunate under Unai Emery, there’s little chance the club would have been invited on the Premier League Summer Series USA Tour this summer. For proof of that, just look at Leeds United. The Yorkshire club were originally pencilled in for the stateside tournament, but as the season played out and their Premier League future became increasingly in doubt, they were dropped in favour of mid-table Fulham.
Preseason Camp Opportunity
While the Premier League’s big picture motivation for organising this event is largely commercial, Aston Villa’s CEO Christian Purslow has stated that the club has chosen to participate for footballing reasons. Specifically, Villa will use the event as their summer preseason training camp, as Purslow explained to supporters at the recent Fan Advisory Board meeting.
Villa would be based in the DC area for their training camp and travel from their base there to each of their respective games.
Financial Convenience
Financially, it was a no-brainer to participate. Purslow said, that the club struggled to break even on their previous USA trip in 2019, which was on their own dime, but the benefit of this summer’s trip is that the Premier League picks up the tab, so Villa simply just turn up and play.
Aston Villa’s USA Fixtures
Emery’s side kick-off the Stateside tour against Newcastle United on Sunday, July 23 in Philadelphia before facing Fulham in Orlando on Wednesday, July 26. Then, their final fixture will be closer to their training camp, with a match against Brentford in Landover, Maryland on Sunday, July 30.
Upon their return to the UK, according to Purslow, Villa will then face a final friendly, the following weekend, away against a “big” European team, a week before the Premier League season kicks off.
Alongside Villa, five other Premier League teams will also be participating in the Premier League Summer Series and tickets for all matches are now on general sale.
Bonus Games For Villa Fans
A couple of Villa’s games are part of double-header fixture dates, meaning fans will get an extra game for their ticket price. For the Villa vs Newcastle game, the Fulham vs Brentford game will be on in the stadium directly before it. Then in Villa’s final game in Maryland, Villans will be able to stick around after their game to watch Chelsea vs Fulham.
If watching Villa against Newcastle in Philadelphia is bizarre enough, then the concept of watching Fulham vs Brentford in Philly, is bordering on trippy.
Minimum Aston Villa USA Ticket Prices
Newcastle United (Philadelphia)- $40 to $325
Fulham (Orlando) – $32 – $255
Brentford (Maryland) – $35 – $190
Villa Away Shirts Only £19
Premier League Summer Series 2023 schedule (all kick-off times local)
Saturday 22 July @ Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Match 1: Chelsea FC v Brighton & Hove Albion FC (7pm)
Sunday 23 July @ Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Match 2: Fulham FC vs Brentford FC (4pm)
Match 3: Newcastle United FC v Aston Villa FC (7pm)
Wednesday 26 July @ Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Match 4: Brentford FC v Brighton & Hove Albion FC (5.30pm)
Match 5: Chelsea FC v Newcastle United FC (8.15pm)
Wednesday 26 July @ Exploria Stadium, Orlando
Match 6: Fulham FC v Aston Villa FC (7pm)
Friday 28 July @ Red Bull Arena, New Jersey
Match 7: Brighton & Hove Albion FC v Newcastle United FC (7.30pm)
Sunday 30 July @ FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland
Match 8: Aston Villa FC v Brentford FC (12pm)
Match 9: Chelsea FC v Fulham FC (2.45pm)
