Reigning MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew welcome English Premier League side Aston Villa to Lower.com Field on Saturday for a friendly match ahead of their Leagues Cup 2024 participation.
How to watch & stream
When
- Saturday, July 27 | 8 pm ET/5 pm PT
Where
- Lower.com Field | Columbus, Ohio
Columbus have a bye into the Leagues Cup Round of 32, where they'll host the second-place finisher from West 4 (Chicago Fire FC, Sporting Kansas City and Toluca) on Aug. 9.
Beforehand, they welcome a club competing in the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League after finishing fourth in the 2023-24 Premier League season.
This past Wednesday, Columbus hosted the 2024 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target. Head coach Wilfried Nancy oversaw a star-studded roster vs. LIGA MX's best, and Cucho Hernández scored in the first half off Diego Rossi's assist.
Columbus enter the Leagues Cup break third in the Eastern Conference, avoiding any Concacaf Champions Cup slump after losing the final to LIGA MX side Pachuca.
The Crew are integrating new midfielders Dylan Chambost and Aziel Jackson, both of whom were acquired in June.
Aston Villa have enjoyed a steady rise under manager Unai Emery, finishing top-four in the Premier League and reaching the UEFA Conference League semifinals a season ago.
That occurred with goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, midfielders Douglas Luiz and John McGinn, and forwards Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey in key roles.
They've doubled down in the summertime transfer market, acquiring left back Ian Maatsen from Chelsea and midfielder Amadou Onana from Everton.
