English Premier League clubs Queensland bound for winter tour

Queensland has landed a major sporting coup with two of the UK’s biggest football clubs to go head-to-head at Suncorp Stadium, before squaring off against the Brisbane Roar.

English soccer giants Aston Villa and Leeds United are headed to Queensland in a huge coup for the code’s Sunshine State fans.

The Premier League clubs will square off at Suncorp Stadium in July, while they will also feature in matches against the Brisbane Roar in Townsville and on the Gold Coast as part of a Queensland Champions Cup.

The teams are among the most storeyed in English football, with Aussie stars Mark Bosnich (Villa), Mark Vuduka and Harry Kewell (both Leeds) among those to have represented the clubs.

A young Harry Kewell once starred for English football team Leeds United.

The tour ensures Queensland fans will not be left out of an Aussie feast of football in the months ahead as global powerhouses Manchester United and Barcelona head to southern states this winter.

While the clubs are a rung below the superpowers of Man U and Barca, Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said he expected thousands of southern fans to travel to Queensland for the spectacle of EPL action.

EPL fans are renowned as some of the most passionate sports fanatics in the world, with Leeds and Villa boasting more than a century of tradition and folklore.

Aston Villa fans are among the most passionate in football. Picture: Adrian Dennis (AFP)

“The English Premier League is among global football’s best competitions, bringing these two teams to Queensland demonstrates our reputation as a world-class events destination,” said Mr Hinchliffe.

“Major sporting events like this bring visitors who support local tourism and hospitality jobs and contribute millions to the Queensland economy.”

Leeds United returned to the EPL last year after a 16-year absence, while Villa have rarely been outside English football’s top tier and have former Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard as manager.

Leeds will play the Roar at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast on July 14, before squaring off against Aston Villa in a Suncorp Stadium blockbuster on July 17.

Villa will then travel to Townsville to take on the Roar at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on July 20.

The Gold Coast was due to host EPL team West Ham in 2020, but that match was abandoned when the coronavirus pandemic shelved travel plans across the world.

Robina had previously hosted a sellout match featuring EPL giants Manchester City in 2015.

Tickets for the Queensland matches will go on sale on Thursday.

It follows an announcement on Wednesday that former Sydney FC striker Dwight Yorke would coach an A-League All Stars team in a match against Barcelona at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on May 25.