Passionate fans drive Aston Villa's Indonesia pre-season visit

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The promoter of Aston Villa's pre-season tour to Indonesia, Sound Rhythm, said the country’s passionate football supporters were a key factor behind the club’s decision to include Indonesia in its preparations for the 2026/2027 season.

"From the start, we truly acknowledged the enthusiasm of football fans in Indonesia. They saw the fans during the World Cup qualifiers at that time. They said that Indonesian fans are really passionate," the head of Marketing Communication at Sound Rhythm, Ahmad Satrio, conveyed in a press conference on Monday.

According to him, Aston Villa became aware of the passion of Indonesian supporters during the country's run to the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

"And they saw that the Premier League fans in Indonesia are potential," Satrio continued.

During their visit to Indonesia, Aston Villa will face the Indonesia All Stars at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta on August 1.

The Aston Villa Pre-Season Tour Indonesia 2026 will also feature various activities, including off-field activities.

Off-field activities will also feature a display of the Europa League trophy, secured by Aston Villa following their 3-0 win over Freiburg at Besiktas Stadium, Turkey.

Satrio also said that the Villans’ visit aims to scout potential Indonesian players ready to compete in European football.

Aston Villa will begin their pre-season preparations against Walsall on July 22, before facing Real Sociedad on July 28.

The team will then continue their preseason tour of Asia, starting with the Indonesia All Stars on August 1, then moving on to Thailand to face BG Pathum United on August 4 at True BG Stadium, Pathum Thani, and concluding on August 7 against Bayern Munich in Hong Kong.

Villa will then face Champions League champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the UEFA Super Cup on August 13 at Red Bull Arena.

Aston Villa will conclude their preseason against Borussia Mönchengladbach, featuring Indonesian player Kevin Diks, on August 15.

Villa's first Premier League match will be against Brighton & Hove Albion on August 23 at the AMEX Stadium.

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Translator: Zaro Ezza S, Resinta Sulistiyandari

Editor: Azis Kurmala

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