Aston Villa captain James Wright has thrown down the gauntlet as his side prepare to defend their HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens title this weekend.
"We just want to win," said goalkeeper Wright, who was part of the lineup that lifted the trophy last year. "I'm very competitive, and I think that extends throughout the whole squad.
"You don't get on a plane for 12 1/2 hours to come for a laugh; you come to win the trophy. We did it last year, and we don't want to settle for anything less."
Villa will be chasing a record-extending eighth title in the 16-team Main Event of the showpiece tournament kicking off today at Hong Kong Football Club.
Villa have once again sent a talented squad that features last year's player of the tournament, Omari Kellyman, and defender Finley Munroe, both of whom have made their English Premier League debuts for Villa's senior team.
Villa, who have been drawn in Group A, will open their campaign tomorrow against West Ham before facing HKFC Captain's Select and Yau Yee League Select, with the first two finishers advancing to the quarter-finals.
"If you look at our squad, we've got a lot of strong players, and I think we're all optimistic," said the 19-year-old Wright. "We've got three or four players who have experience of the tournament now."
Group B will feature five-time J1 League champions Yokohama F Marinos, Brighton, Hong Kong Rangers and Singapore Football Club while Fulham, hosts Hong Kong Football Club, Rangers and Hong Kong will compete in Group C. Group D is composed of Leicester City, Newcastle, last year's runners-up Tai Po and Singapore Cricket Club.
The event also features a women's tournament for the first time, with eight teams competing for the inaugural prize.
"It's super exciting," said Yasmin Sung of Chelsea Soccer School. "It's definitely a step forward for women's football.
"We're definitely excited that all the girls who play in the Hong Kong league together can now have a platform to show what women's football is in Hong Kong. We hope we can get more support for women's sport in general."
Chelsea face Sha Tin Sports Association, Soar 247 and Kitchee Sports Club in Group A, with Hong Kong Football Club, Macau, Grace Citizen and WSE playing in Group B.
The weekend is rounded out by the popular Masters Event.
Tickets for the event are available at zicket.co with free entry for all today.
Admission is free for children below five years old all weekend. Adult single-day tickets cost HK$150, weekend passes are HK$250, and junior tickets (5-16 years old) cost HK$50 and HK$80.
The captains of the Main, Masters and Women’s teams gather ahead of today's kick-off of the Soccer Sevens' 25th-anniversary edition at HKFC.
