Villa, Chelsea and Blackburn - Barclays Asia Trophy

[Quiet Lion]

Couldn't see this posted elsewhere

Chelsea will be joined by Premier League rivals Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers at the Barclays Asia Trophy in Hong Kong next summer.
The Premier League-affiliated pre-season tournament will also feature the Hong Kong First Division League champions, with the teams participating in a knock-out event.
Semi-finals will be played on Wednesday, July 27, with the final and third-place matches on Saturday, July 30.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1321758/Chelsea-Aston-Villa-Blackburn-contest-pre-season-Barclays-Asia-Trophy-Hong-Kong-summer.html?ITO=1490#ixzz12nM4KWME

Probably not the best preparation in terms of pre-season but a decent profile boost for the club

[Concrete John]

Probably not the best preparation in terms of pre-season but a decent profile boost for the club

I don't see why?  Decent opposition in a semi-competitive environment works for me as a good pre season tune up!

[Quiet Lion]

Just the 14 hours on a plane. But then it is not as if they are sitting in economy I suppose.

[Concrete John]

Only an issue if a game is soon afterwards, which I'm sure they'll arrange it not to be, and even if it was it'll only be another friendly.

[Billy Walker]

Are we due to defend the Peace Cup next summer too?  If so, it will be quite a busy schedule for the Villa boys.

[mshurst]

Are we due to defend the Peace Cup next summer too?  If so, it will be quite a busy schedule for the Villa boys.

A busy schedule of competitive matches ... I'm not complaining, TBH.

[fredm]

What dates are the prelim rounds of the Europa Cup next year?

Presumably there is a get out clause if we are involved in that?

[Mark H]

Do we HAVE to defend the Peace Cup or is this an instead of ?

[cdbearsfan]

The Peace Cup next year is reduced to 8 teams and is being hosted by Glasgow, London, Manchester and Liverpool. Link. I assume they will pick Celtic/Rangers, Arsenal/Spurs, Man U/City and Liverpool/Everton plus four 'glamour' teams from abroad. Doubt we'll be invited.

I assume we will be able to pull out of the Asia Trophy if we are involved in European qualifiers at the time, as Celtic did when we won the Peace Cup.

I hope we don't get Chelsea as the entire glory-hunting stadium will be wanting us to lose... unless we sign a Hong Kong player quickly. Surprised Blose haven't been asked, they have a billion fans in China after all.

[Billy Walker]

I can't imagine they wouldn't invite the holders?  It'll be interesting to see.  Maybe, if invited, we could field the youngsters?

[dave.woodhall]

It's a friendly. They won't give a toss who won it last year.

[villajk]

At least we can make our holiday arrangements without thinking about a pre-season jolly.  Hong Kong is out of the question.

[Clampy]

Hmm, Hong Kong is a little bit out of the way. I hope they play over in Ireland again, it was a good day when we played Bohemians.

[LeeS]

Just the 14 hours on a plane. But then it is not as if they are sitting in economy I suppose.

Pedant alert. Its 11.5 hours but you're point still stands.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Another game with Blackburn ? I suppose they will be inviting Rapid bloody Vienna too !