Aston Villa will travel to Spain next month to face Sevilla in the 15th Antonio Puerta Trophy, with the match scheduled for Friday 2 October. Sevilla officially confirmed the arrangement today, setting a 20:30 local time kick-off at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán stadium.
The annual event honours Antonio Puerta, who spent his entire professional career with the Andalusian club before his death at the age of 22 following a cardiac arrest during a league match against Getafe. His goal had previously secured the club's maiden European trophy in the 2006 UEFA Cup final, and Sevilla retired his number 16 shirt in tribute.
For Unai Emery, the trip represents a first return to his former employers since departing in 2016. During a three-year spell in charge, he guided the team to three successive Europa League titles. Sport Witness notes that previous editions of the memorial fixture have featured clubs including Roma, Boca Juniors and Schalke.
Squad availability for both teams remains uncertain given the timing within the international window. John McGinn has already been named in Scotland's squad, suggesting Villa could be without several senior figures. Sevilla, by contrast, anticipate keeping most of their roster together, with Isaac Romero, Manu Bueno, José Ángel Carmona and Kike Salas yet to receive senior Spain call-ups. Lucien Agoumé is also expected to stay behind rather than join France.
Supporters considering the trip can reach the ground via Seville's Metro Line 1 in under ten minutes from the city centre, while flights operate directly from Birmingham.
