Manchester United, Aston Villa, Leeds United, and Crystal Palace have all announced pre-season fixtures in Australia for the 2022-23 season.
United will face Villa at the 60,000-seat Optus Stadium in Perth on July 23. It will be Erik ten Hag’s fourth match as manager, with United already set to play Liverpool in Bangkok, followed by Melbourne Victory and Crystal Palace in Melbourne.
Speaking about United’s trip to Perth, football director John Murtough said:
“We are delighted to be returning to Perth to face top-quality Premier League opposition and benefit from the first-class training facilities available to us in the city.
“Pre-season tours are such an important part of the squad’s preparation for the season ahead, and we know from past experience that Perth is an ideal destination during this crucial period.”
Prior to that, Villa will face Leeds in the inaugural Queensland Champions Cup, a pre-season event that will also feature Brisbane Roar of the A-League.
The three-game Queensland festival will begin on July 14 with Leeds United vs. Brisbane Roar at CBUS Super Stadium, followed by Aston Villa vs. the Whites at Suncorp Stadium on July 17 and the Villans face the Roar at QLD Country Bank Stadium on July 20.
Aston Villa has also announced a July 23 fixture against Manchester United at Perth’s Optus Stadium.
“The tour comes at a crucial stage of our pre-season so the fitness program and the games are important,” Aston Villa boss and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard said.
“We are absolutely delighted to be visiting Australia for the first time in the club’s history.”
Villa, Leeds, and Brisbane will play each other once in a round robin format, with the encounter between Premier League rivals scheduled for Sunday, July 17 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Leeds will then play a friendly against Crystal Palace at the Optus Stadium on July 22.
Leeds head coach Jesse Marsch said: “It’s not only a great opportunity for Leeds to play three exciting games in front of our fans Down Under, it’s also a great opportunity to visit a wonderful country which I know loves their sport and is extremely knowledgeable about football.
“This will be our club’s third playing trip to Australia and I’m very much looking forward to taking the team back for what will be an important part of our preparations for the 2022-23 season.”
