Aston Villa set for powerhouse friendly vs Bayern Munich as 15-year first now expected
Aston Villa could be set to face off against Bayern Munich in the summer.
Reports from Hong Kong outlet Sing Tao Daily suggest that Villa could make a 6000 mile journey to East Asia to play a friendly.
It has been suggested that “another Premier League powerhouse” is going to be welcomed to the Special Administrative Region of China, with Unai Emery’s side expected to be exactly that.
An exhibition match against Bundesliga opposition has been mooted away from Villa Park, with Bayern Munich said to be the likely opponents.
Should the summer clash go ahead, it will mark a first Hong Kong appearance for the Villa first team for 15 years.
Hong Kong secutary speaks out on potential Aston Villa visit
The Villans haven’t been shy about pre-season commitments far away from the Midlands, with tours around America becoming a regular occurrence.
That has allowed the B6 brand to grow and bring in new fans from further afield than may have been possible previously.
The claret and blue could now look to make their presence felt in that area of East Asia for the first time in a long time at the end of the campaign.
It could represent a perfect opportunity to showcase themselves after the Hong Kong Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Law Shuk-pui, spoke out in a press conference.
She suggested that the World Cup could limit the number of elite sides travelling to the continent over the summer, saying: “There may not be as many or as concentrated as last year, but we will do our best.”
That opens the door for Villa to step in and potentially get a clash against Bayern Munich up and running.
When did Aston Villa last play in Hong Kong?
The 2011/12 season will remind the claret and blue faithful of Alex McLeish and not much else.
Before the frustrations of that campaign began, the Villans travelled to Hong Kong for the 2011 Premier League Asia Trophy.
The first of two games came against Blackburn Rovers on 27 July 2011 as Darren Bent netted the only goal in a 1-0 win at the Hong Kong Stadium.
The B6 side then tasted defeat at the same arena as Chelsea secured victory on 30 July 2011, thanks to Josh McEachran and Fernando Torres.
Those goals made sure the Blues won the pre-season trophy while marking Villa’s last first-team adventure to Hong Kong.
It now looks as if Villa are going to return and take part in a friendly to end their 15-year spell away from East Asia.
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