Aston Villa's Travel Roster Announced for US Tour

Regardless of your stance on international friendlies, it would be pretty hard to deny that the upcoming Aston Villa game is exciting. After all, they would be the highest profile team to visit Portland since Manchester City came in 2010 (I rank them a bit higher than West Bromwich Albion, although not as exciting as Ajax). In any case, with the season in the dumps so far, this game could prove to be a welcome distraction from the regular season.

While that game might still be over a week away for the Portland Timbers (July 24th) Aston Villa has gone ahead and announced their travel roster:

Aston Villa Travel Roster (by position)
Goalkeepers (3): Shay Given, Brad Guzan, Andy Marshall
Defenders (8) : Nathan Baker, Ciaran Clark, James Collins, Richard Dunne, Eric Lichaj, Matthew Lowton, Enda Stevens, Stephen Warnock
Midfielders (9) : Barry Bannan, Samir Carruthers, Fabian Delph, Karim El Ahmadi, Gary Gardner, Chris Herd, Stephen Ireland, Daniel Johnson, Charles N’Zogbia
Forwards (5): Gabriel Agbonlahor, Darren Bent, Nathan Delfouneso, Brett Holman, Andreas Weimann

There are some notable names there in Darren Bent, Charles N'Zogbia, and even fellow American international Brad Guzan. All in all, it seems like a solid line up that we can expect.

Anybody excited to see Aston Villa in Portland? Any specific players you're looking forward to seeing?

I've included the full press release after the break.

PORTLAND, Ore. – Aston Villa FC of the English Premier League today announced the club’s travel roster for its preseason tour to the United States, which includes an international friendly against the Portland Timbers on Tuesday, July 24, at JELD-WEN Field at 7:30 p.m. (Pacific).

Led by new manager Paul Lambert, Aston Villa’s 25-man travel squad is highlighted by the club’s top goal-scorer from the 2011-12 season and England National Team member Darren Bent, French international midfielder Charles N’Zogbia and longtime forwardGabriel Agbonlahor, who led the club in assists last season. Additionally, Ireland National Team standout Shay Given, who recently competed in the Euro 2012 tournament, and United States international Brad Guzan are among the team’s three goalkeepers on the travel roster.

One of the founding members of the Premier League, Aston Villa begins its U.S. preseason tour on Wednesday, July 18 against the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park. Three days later, the team will play the Chicago Fire on Saturday, July 21, before heading to Portland for the final stop on its three-city tour.

The Timbers exhibition against Aston Villa is included in 2012 season ticket packages as Exhibition C. A limited number of obstructed view tickets are still available for purchase for $25 exclusively at the JELD-WEN Field box office.

Aston Villa Travel Roster (by position)
Goalkeepers (3): Shay Given, Brad Guzan, Andy Marshall
Defenders (8) : Nathan Baker, Ciaran Clark, James Collins, Richard Dunne, Eric Lichaj, Matthew Lowton, Enda Stevens, Stephen Warnock
Midfielders (9) : Barry Bannan, Samir Carruthers, Fabian Delph, Karim El Ahmadi, Gary Gardner, Chris Herd, Stephen Ireland, Daniel Johnson, Charles N’Zogbia
Forwards (5): Gabriel Agbonlahor, Darren Bent, Nathan Delfouneso, Brett Holman, Andreas Weimann