FC Bayern ahead of the Audi Football Summit against Aston Villa: 'A good test against a top side'

To round off their Audi Summer Tour, FC Bayern take on venerable English club Aston Villa at the Audi Football Summit under a closed roof in the air-conditioned Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on Friday (from 14:00 CEST in the live text on fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app). Get all the details on the match in our preview.

With a subscription to FC Bayern TV PLUS, you can watch the match against Aston Villa live and exclusively on fcbayern.com and via the FC Bayern app.

Latest news from FC Bayern

It's been an intensive week for head coach Vincent Kompany’s side. From Saturday to Wednesday, FC Bayern were on the South Korean island of Jeju as part of the Audi Summer Tour where, amongst other things, they enjoyed a friendly win against top-flight side Jeju SK (2–1). The Munich men have now been in Hong Kong since Wednesday where, in sweltering summer temperatures, the record champions are preparing for the new season and will round off their tour with a prestigious friendly against Europa League winners Aston Villa. “Of course, we want to win the match. But it’s much more about fitness and attitude than about how both teams will perform later in the season,” said Kompany in Thursday’s press conference.

Team news

Manuel Neuer, who was rested for the match against Jeju SK, will start against Villa and wear the captain’s armband, as Kompany confirmed at the press conference. Joshua Kimmich missed the final training session due to a minor groin strain. Bara Ndiaye was rested after taking a knock to his knee.

The best photos from Thursday’s final training session:

The opposition: Aston Villa

Following a highly successful season – in which they won the Europa League and finished fourth in the Premier League – Aston Villa began their pre-season preparations in mid-July with three friendlies. After beating Walsall 5–0 and losing to Porto (2–1) and Real Sociedad (4–2), coach Unai Emery’s side set off on an Asian tour. In Jakarta, Villa first beat the Indonesian All Stars 3–1 and also won their match against BG Pathum United in Thailand 3–1. The English side will now use their final warm-up against FC Bayern in Hong Kong as a dress rehearsal for the UEFA Super Cup clash with Paris Saint-Germain on 12 August. “They’re probably one of the best teams in the world at the moment, so this will be a terrific test for us. We’re looking forward to it and hope it will prepare us well for the match against PSG,” said defender Matty Cash, looking ahead to the game against Bayern.

“Aston Villa are a top side with a very good coach. They have a large squad and will field plenty of talent. They’ve already played more pre-season friendlies than we have, so it’s a good challenge for us,” said FCB coach Vincent Kompany of the opposition at the Audi Football Summit.

Head coach Vincent Kompany on the game

FC Bayern vs. Aston Villa – LIVE and exclusively on FC Bayern TV PLUS

We’ll be showing the Audi Football Summit live and exclusively on Tuesday from 14:00 CEST on FC Bayern TV PLUS on our website fcbayern.com and in the FC Bayern app. Join us!

All the details on the friendlies on FC Bayern TV PLUS: