The Barclays Premier League is coming back to Chicago.
A year after hosting English giant Manchester United at Soldier Field, the Fire will hold an international friendly against Premier League side Aston Villa at Toyota Park July 21, the team announced Tuesday.
Aston Villa's squad features two Chicago-area natives in keeper Brad Guzan (Homer Glen) and Eric Lichaj (Downers Grove).
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Historically one of England's most successful clubs, Aston Villa has fallen on hard times in the Premier League this season. The club sits 15th in the league table with 33 points, eight points above the relegation zone. Only two teams -- Stoke City and Wigan Athletic -- have scored fewer goals than Aston Villa, but no other 11-20 team has allowed fewer goals than Villa's 38.
The Fire have played three matches against English Premier League clubs, defeating Derby County 1-0 in 1999 and Everton 2-0 in 2008. Aston Villa has played MLS clubs twice, defeating Toronto and Columbus in 2007.
Tickets to the event go on sale Tuesday afternoon.