Minnesota United will host Aston Villa at Allianz Field
The Loons played their first MLS game in their new home stadium this weekend. Now they're keen on making history at the world-class venue.
Minnesota United unveiled new home stadium Allianz Field at the weekend, and they're keen on making history at the world-class venue.
The Loons announced on Tuesday that they will host England's Aston Villa for a friendly match during the summer on 17 July. Minnesota United head coach Adrian Heath played for the team in the 1989-90 season.
Aston Villa, who in their history have won seven league titles, seven FA Cups and a European Cup, currently play in England's second tier after being relegated from the Premier League.
Minnesota CEO Chris Wright said in a statement: "We're thrilled to be welcoming a club with a history as rich as Villa's to Allianz Field. I'm personally excited to be bringing English football to our new home in Saint Paul."
Wright also discussed the links that members of the MLS club have with Aston Villa: "From our head coach to our play-by-play commentator, we have some members of our team with ties to the club. This event will only serve to deepen the connections between our clubs and, indeed, our bond to the game of soccer over the world."
Aston Villa
The English team are looking for promotion back to the Premier League, and currently sit in fifth place with four games remaining this season.
If Villa stay in the top six they will earn a spot in the four-team play-offs for the Championship's final Premier League promotion place. The sides finishing first and second in the division go up automatically.