'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Columbus Crew face Aston Villa at Lower.com Field on Sunday (July 28) in a friendly. The hosts have enjoyed a largely solid MLS campaign as they take a break from competitive action with a mid-season friendly against Premier League opposition.
They lost 2-1 to Atlanta United in their last league outing, heading into the break a goal up thanks to a Diego Rossi strike before Atlanta turned the game on its head in the second half.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, enjoyed a brilliant league campaign last season as they prepare to play in the UEFA Champions League for the first time. Preparations are underway for a historic season at Villa Park, with Unai Emery's men picking up comfortable 3-0 wins respectively over Walsall and Slovakian side Spartak Trnava in their first two pre-season games.
Following Sunday's game, Vill will continue their tour of the States with friendlies against RB Leipzig and Mexican outfit Club America.
Columbus Crew vs Aston Villa Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- Sunday's game will mark the first meeting between Columbus and Villa.
- The Crew last faced a Premier League side in 2014 when they drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace in a pre-season friendly.
- The Villans' last meeting against MLS opposition came in July 2019 when they beat Minnesota United 3-0 in a pre-season friendly.
- Columbus are without a clean sheet in three games.
- Seven of Villa's 10 league defeats last season came on the road.
Columbus Crew vs Aston Villa Prediction
The Black and Gold's latest result ended a six-game unbeaten streak before they return to competitive action next month. They have lost once at home all year.
Villa, meanwhile, are on a run of back-to-back victories after ending the previous campaign on a six-game winless run. They are the stronger side and should come out on top.
Prediction: Columbus 1-3 Villa
Columbus Crew vs Aston Villa Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Villa
Tip 2 - Goals - Over/under 2.5 - Over 2.5 goals (Eight of Villa's last 10 matches have produced more than 2.5 goals.)
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: Yes (Both sides have scored in three of the Crew's last four matchups.)
