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Aston Villa’s pre-season game against Vitesse Arnhem next week has been called off - but the club have arranged another friendly.

The fixture was due to take place on Tuesday August 25 at Stimberg Stadium in Erkenschwick.

Instead Villa will play a warm up match Arminia Bielefeld at Heidewaldstadion in Gütersloh on Tuesday evening.

Vitesse Arnhem confirmed the cancellation of the fixture on their website, stating that German football authorities have prevented the match from going ahead.

Villa’s players are jetting out to Germany this weekend.

Tomorrow afternoon they will take part in the Cup of Traditions.

This is a mini-competition at Schauinsland Reisen Arena, Duisburg.

Villa will play two matches lasting 45 minutes each and the other participating clubs include MSV Duisburg, Hertha Berlin and Malaga.

The club’s only home friendly is against Watford on Saturday, July 29 when they play Watford at Villa Park in a tribute match in honour of Graham Taylor, who died in January.

It will be Steve Bruce’s last chance to hone his team selection and tactics before the Championship season kicks off at home to Hull City the following weekend.

Villa issued a statement on their official website on Friday afternoon, confirming the change of fixture.

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"Aston Villa can confirm a change to our second fixture in Germany.

"We will now play Arminia Bielefeld at FC Gütersloh’s Heidewaldstadion on Tuesday July 25.

"The match kicks off at 6pm UK time and prices are 8 Euros (standing).

"The switch comes after our match against Vitesse Arnhem was called off.

"The friendly game was due to take place at Stimberg Stadium in Erkenschwick, Germany.

"However, we have been informed that the encounter has been cancelled at the request of the German FA.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this has caused for our supporters."