Aston Villa have agreed to take part in summer pre-season tournament the Peace Cup, along with European giants Real Madrid and Juventus.

The competition, which is being held in Andalucia, Spain, starts on 24 July.

The 12-club event, which begins with four groups, also includes European sides Ajax, Lyon, Porto and Seville.

Other teams who have confirmed their involvement are Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia, Seongnam of South Korea and Liga de Quito of Ecuador.

The group draw for the tournament, which is organized by the Peace Foundation, takes place at the end of April.

Villa manager Martin O'Neill told BBC WM: "It's a great honour for us to be involved in it and to be invited into the competition with a lot of real quality sides throughout Europe.

"I think it's a sign of where Villa have come from and where they are now positioned that we've been asked to join in this competition."

If Villa are drawn against Juventus, it could mean defender Olof Mellberg plays against O'Neill's side for the first time since leaving last summer.

English clubs who have previously taken part include Tottenham Hotspur, Bolton Wanderers and Reading.

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