Aston Villa finish their pre-season preparations this Saturday when they travel to Germany to play Borussia Dortmund in a friendly.

The Villans have been busy in the transfer market ahead of an exciting Champions League campaign but that hasn’t translated to pre-season success. While they enjoyed two early victories over lesser opposition, Unai Emery’s side then lost three games on the bounce before their recent 3-2 win over Athletic Club. It’s been a mixed bag for the Midlands club.

Borussia Dortmund find themselves in a similar position. They have won just once in pre-season and that came in a narrow 3-2 victory over Japanese side Cerezo Osaka. A 4-0 loss to Thai outfit Pathum United was not ideal for new manager Nuri Sahin.

Here is 90min’s guide to Borussia Dortmund vs Aston Villa.

Borussia Dortmund vs Aston Villa H2H Record (All Games)

Borussia Dortmund and Aston Villa have never clashed in a competitive fixture.

Current form (all competitions)

Summer signing Serhou Guirassy is sidelined for Villa’s visit with a knee injury that may keep him out for at least two months, but Sahin has a strong team to select elsewhere.

Recent recruits Pascal Gross, Waldemar Anton and Yan Couto all made their debuts in the 2-2 draw with Villarreal and should get some more minutes against Villa. London-born Jamie Bynoe-Gittens scored last time out and is likely to earn a start at Signal Iduna Park.

Borussia Dortmund predicted lineup vs Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Kobel; Ryerson, Sule, Anton, Bensebaini; Gross, Can; Adeyemi, Reyna, Bynoe-Gittens; Haller.

Villa remain without long-term absentees Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara but have been buoyed by the returns of Jacob Ramsey and Emiliano Buendia during pre-season.

Jaden Philogene scored against Athletic Club last time out and is one of many recruits who has been handed plenty of minutes this summer. The likes of Amadou Onana, Ross Barkley, Samuel Iling Jr and Enzo Barrenechea are among the others who will feature in some capacity.

Ian Maatsen was a marquee signing for Villa this summer and will face Dortmund after enjoying a successful loan spell with the Bundesliga club during the second half of last season.

Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Dortmund (4-3-3): Gauci; Cash, Bogarde, Torres, Maatsen; McGinn, Onana, Barkley; Philogene, Archer, Ramsey.

Both sides have struggled for consistency during pre-season, as is to be expected given the staggered returns of summer internationals. Both have looked porous at the back but encouraging going forward, something that should lead to a mini goal-fest in Dortmund.

Such clashes are key prep for Villa ahead of their first Champions League campaign since the competition’s rebranding and Emery’s men will be determined to leave Signal Iduna Park with a positive result.

Prediction: Borussia Dortmund 2-2 Aston Villa

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