Villa set to make it three-in-a-row

English Premier League side Aston Villa will return to Hong Kong determined to win the Philips Lighting International Soccer 7's for an unprecedented third consecutive time.

Leading European clubs such as Arsenal, Manchester United, Celtic, Glasgow Rangers and PSV Eindhoven will clash at the Soccer 7's 2005, to be held on May 28 and 29 at the Hong Kong Football Club.

The year's event will again feature the Main and Masters tournaments.

Last year, Aston Villa became the first team to complete a Soccer 7's double when they defeated United 2-0 in the final. United, with their strong youth scheme, are sure to be one of the challengers. The young Red Devils are currently top of the Premier Reserve League.

Arsenal won the Main tournament in 2001. They will be joined by J-League's Urawa Red Diamonds and six local teams, including City University.

This year's Masters event will include ex-German internationals Pierre Littbarski and Uwe Bein as well as former England players Matthew Le Tissier, Paul Walsh and Kerry Dixon.