Aston Villa have only made one signing this summer, Dutch striker Zepiqueno Redmond, from Feyenoord on a free. Redmond, 19, is expected to assume a role this season similar to what Jhon Duran performed last term. Villa supporters will likely see Redmond in action, as a member of their favorite side, on Wednesday night when they travel to Walsall for a preseason friendly.
Elsewhere Villa have some flux at the goalkeeper position, at it will lead to their having to start their third choice shot-stopper in this exhibition match.
Aston Villa vs Walsall FYIs
Kickoff: Wednesday July 16, 2025, at 7:30pm UK at Walsall Stadium, Walsall, UK
Competition: Preseason Friendly
Aston Villa Preview Material: Team News Starting XI Prediction
Aston Villa Team News
The No. 1, Emiliano Martinez, has been strongly linked with a move away (with Manchester United among those said to be keen), and thus, he’s very likely to not see action here. Meanwhile his potential replacement, Marco Bizot from Ligue 1 side Brest, has not arrived yet.
A deal for his acquisition is said to be close, but it hasn’t happened yet, and with last year’s No. 2, Robin Olsen, having left as a free agent this summer (moving to Malmo after his contract expired), well this how we get to the third string keeper, Joe Gauci, most likely receiving a starting assignment for this one.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter