After losing their opening pre-season fixture 1-0 away to Freiburg, Rennes have since secured back-to-back victories against Caen and Nantes.
A 2-1 away win against Caen last Wednesday was followed by a slender 1-0 victory over Nantes a week later, with Serhou Guirassy heading home the only goal of the game four minutes after half time.
Bruno Genesio’s side finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season with more victories (20) and more points (66) than in any of their previous top-flight campaigns.
Les Rouge et Noir will be aiming to qualify for the Champions League this term, through either their league position or by going all the way in the Europa League, after narrowly missing out last season.
Rennes are familiar with English opposition after facing both Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City in the Europa Conference League in 2021-22.
They had mixed success from their three games played, however, firstly drawing 2-2 with Spurs in the group stage before losing 3-2 on aggregate to Leicester in the last 16.
Saturday’s friendly clash against Villa will be their final warm-up match before beginning the new Ligue 1 season at home to Lorient on August 7.
Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard will have been pleased with his side’s performances so far in pre-season, as they have claimed three victories and a draw from their first four matches.
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After securing wins against Walsall, Leeds United and Brisbane Roar without conceding, the Villans came from two goals down to rescue a 2-2 draw against Manchester United in the final game on their tour of Australia last weekend.
A strike from Jadon Sancho and an own goal from Matty Cash put the Red Devils two goals in front at half time, but Villa responded well in the second half with Leon Bailey’s 49th-minute strike followed by a 93rd-minute equaliser from Calum Chambers.
In a bid to improve on last season’s 14th-placed finish in the Premier League, Gerrard has been active in the transfer market, recruiting Philippe Coutinho and Robin Olsen on permanent deals as well as adding Diego Carlos, Boubacar Kamara and Ludwig Augustin song to his ranks.
