Aston Villa are in Murcia, Spain for a three-day training camp during the international break and Friday’s friendly against La Liga side Elche at Pinatar Arena is the centrepiece of that preparation.
How to watch: Villa TV access details
The match is available exclusively to supporters who hold either a Season Ticket or an Official Aston Villa Adult or Video Membership.
Crucially, the club are currently offering a limited-time 20% discount on Adult Memberships ( accessible using the code EUROPA20 ) making this an ideal moment to purchase and ensure access not only to Friday’s fixture but to future VillaTV content throughout the remainder of the season.
It is worth noting that purchasing a Membership is the only way to guarantee access to the stream. General supporters without existing membership will not be able to watch the match through the platform.
Who could feature for Villa?
With eleven first-team players currently away on international duty, Friday’s squad will draw primarily from Emery’s fringe options and those not involved in international fixtures this week.
This creates a genuine opportunity for players who have seen limited first-team involvement to stake a claim ahead of the Bologna quarter-final on Thursday 9 April.
Players like Emiliano Buendia, Tyrone Mings, Alysson dos Santos amd Harvey Elliot could all feature prominently: each with something different to prove as the season enters its most critical phase.
What Emery is specifically looking for
The Spanish manager has two distinct groups within his remaining squad to manage during this camp. Those on the fringes of the first team need match minutes and the opportunity to demonstrate their readiness: particularly with Bologna and a top-four run-in creating selection decisions in the coming weeks.
Additionally, players carrying minor physical concerns, such as those managing the shoulder strapping situation that has affected Morgan Rogers in recent weeks, need to be carefully monitored. Emery will use Friday’s ninety minutes to gather precisely that kind of nuanced fitness information.
| Villa’s Recent Form | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| vs Lille (second leg) | Europa League | Win 2-0 (3-0 agg) |
| vs West Ham | Premier League | Win 2-0 |
| vs Lille (first leg) | Europa League | Win 1-0 |
| vs Manchester United | Premier League | Defeat 1-3 |
Why Elche will provide a real test
Despite their precarious La Liga position, Elche represent a genuinely demanding opponent for this kind of fixture. Eder Sarabia’s side average 58.4% possession per game (third in La Liga behind only Barcelona and Real Madrid) and will look to dominate the ball and press with intensity throughout.
For Villa’s fringe players, that presents a meaningful and authentic challenge rather than a comfortable run-out. Emery will watch closely, take notes, and make decisions accordingly. Bologna is coming and every single minute of preparation counts.
