WORCESTER City will take on Aston Villa’s first team in a pre-season friendly at Stourport Swifts next month.

Villa were relegated from the Barclays Premier League last season and will be looking to rebuild ahead of the Sky Bet Championship campaign.

City manager Carl Heeley said the “prestigious friendly", which takes place on Saturday, July 16 (3pm), would be a “great experience” for the club.

He also revealed it came after former Villa manager Brian Little contacted him to arrange the clash on the same day the Birmingham side go up against AFC Telford United.

"I received a telephone call from Brian who has recently been appointed as an advisor to the board at Aston Villa,” he said.

“I know Brian well from his days as Gainsborough Trinity manager, and he asked if we would like to play a Villa first team as they were looking to play two games on July, 16, the other one being at AFC Telford United at lunchtime.

“It will be a great experience for our players and supporters alike."

The game against the 1982 European Cup champions will be staged at Stourport Swifts’ ground as Bromsgrove Sporting’s Victoria Ground will be unavailable.

Club director Joe Murphy added: “It was fantastic news to get this game through one of Carl’s contacts, but unfortunately it came too early for the pitch to be ready at our new home.

“We made a few phone calls and we are really grateful to our near neighbours at Stourport Swifts who are allowing us to host both this game and the Senior Cup semi-final the following Tuesday at Walshes Meadow.

“By way of a thank we will be opening our pre-season schedule with a friendly against Swifts.”

Admission prices for the Aston Villa game will be £10 for adults and £5 for concessions, while children under five will be free.