Aston Villa are expected to travel to Spain next month for a friendly against Sevilla, according to reports first published on Friday. Sport Witness, citing the Spanish newspaper Marca, states that the Premier League side will almost certainly feature in the 15th edition of the Antonio Puerta Trophy on 2 October.
The fixture is said to be pending final formalities before a definitive agreement is signed. Sevilla view the match as an opportunity to maintain competitive rhythm during a 23-day gap in their domestic schedule, which opens after their seventh matchday meeting with Barcelona.
The Antonio Puerta Trophy is a significant annual occasion for the Andalusian club, honouring the memory of their former player. This year’s edition was originally planned for pre-season but was delayed while organisers searched for a suitable date. Previous iterations have occasionally been staged during international breaks, including matches against Granada, Almería and Boca Juniors.
For Unai Emery, the trip carries obvious personal resonance. He managed Sevilla between 2013 and 2016, guiding them to three consecutive Europa League titles. His most recent visit to the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán came in 2021 when he returned as Villarreal manager.
A busy week awaits the stadium regardless, with Spain scheduled to host Croatia there during the same international window. Villa’s involvement would add a high-profile club fixture to the itinerary.
Neither Aston Villa nor Sevilla have publicly confirmed the arrangement. With the summer transfer window now closed until January 2027, the focus for both clubs remains firmly on their respective league campaigns, making a mid-autumn friendly a practical way to keep squad members sharp.
