Premier League pacesetters Leicester among five English sides confirmed for Hong Kong Soccer Sevens

The Hong Kong Soccer Sevens could welcome the next Premier League champions, after unlikely pacesetters Leicester City confirmed they would be sending a team to the popular event.

Five-time sevens champions Aston Villa, former winners Newcastle United, last year’s runners-up West Ham United and Stoke City complete a strong contingent from the English Premier League for the event at Hong Kong Football Club on May 20-22.

Villa have been a regular feature at the HKFC Citibank Soccer Sevens, which features up-and-coming stars from the clubs’ youth ranks, but have not won since 2010.

“We are delighted to continue our long association with the Hong Kong Soccer Sevens tournament. It remains an integral part of our football development process,” said Aston Villa academy manager Sean Kimberley.

“Jack Grealish and Marc Albrighton are two academy graduates amongst many who have benefited from participating in the Sevens in recent times, and we are look forward to playing our part once again in this high quality event.”

Aston Villa won in 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2010 before winning the Shield in 2014 thanks to six goals from tournament top scorer Jack Grealish, who had also led the scoring charts a year earlier at Hong Kong Football Club after netting eight goals.

“Villa are a huge club, a very professionally run club that have been a strong supporter of the Soccer Sevens for many years,” said organising committee chairman Tony Bratsanos.