Aston Villa vs Real Sociedad prediction 28.07.2026 | Club Friendly

Villa opened their pre-season campaign in impressive fashion with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Walsall, producing an energetic attacking display despite widespread squad rotation. 

Villa finished the 2025/26 season strongly, securing another European campaign after combining an organised defensive structure with one of the Premier League's more effective transition attacks. Emery will primarily be looking for improved chemistry and defensive organisation rather than focusing on the result.

No major fresh injury concerns have emerged following the victory over Walsall, although several players returning from international duty may see their minutes managed carefully during pre-season.

Real Sociedad continue preparations for another demanding domestic and European campaign after another competitive season in Spain. Pellegrino Matarazzo’s side have built a reputation for disciplined defensive football and structured possession, qualities that are again expected to define their approach this summer.

Their recent friendlies have generally been cautious affairs, with Sociedad prioritising tactical balance over attacking fluency. As is often the case during pre-season, the Basque club have focused on building fitness and experimenting with different combinations rather than chasing high-scoring victories. 

There have been no widely reported major injury setbacks ahead of the trip to England, allowing Matarazzo to rotate extensively while continuing preparations for the opening weeks of the La Liga campaign.