QUEENSLAND TRIP IS NO HOLIDAY
THE earlier start to next season’s English Premier League season will ensure
Aston Villa and Leeds United treat their July trip to Queensland as anything but a “holiday”.
Villa and Leeds will meet at Suncorp Stadium on July 17 as part of a threeteam series – the Queensland
Champions Cup – that will also include ALeague club Brisbane Roar.
Matches will also be played on the
Gold Coast and in Townsville, with Roar to meet Leeds at Cbus Super Stadium on July 14 and Villa at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on July 20.
Following their visit to Australia, the Villa and Leeds squads will return home to ready themselves for the Premier League season, which starts at the earlier-than-usual date of August 6 due to the break that will occur to accommodate the November-December FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
“The tour comes at a crucial stage of
our pre-season so the fitness program and the games are important,” Villa manager Steven Gerrard said.
“We are absolutely delighted to be visiting Australia for the first time in the club’s history.”
Leeds manager Jesse Marsch said the tour was an “important part” of his side’s 2022-23 preparations.
“This will be our club’s third playing trip to Australia and I’m very much looking forward to taking the team back,” Marsch said.