England go Dutch

England v Holland
Villa Park, Birmingham
09 February 2005

Sven-Goran Eriksson’s team will face Dutch legend Marco van Basten’s team at Villa Park as part of England’s preparations for their March World Cup qualifying fixtures.

This will be the third England fixture Villa Park has hosted while Wembley is being re-built, including Sven’s first game in charge - a 3-0 victory against Spain in February 2001.

Portugal proved stronger opposition in September 2002 when they held England to a 1-1 draw with Alan Smith scoring on his full debut.

In August 2001, the Dutch secured a comprehensive 2-0 victory at Tottenham’s White Hart Lane with Marc van Bommel and Manchester United’s Ruud van Nistelrooy on target.

Villa’s Darius Vassell capped an impressive debut with England’s goal in a 1-1 draw at the Amsterdam ArenA in February 2002. Patrick Kluivert, now of Newcastle United scored Holland’s goal.

Sven-Goran Eriksson told us: "I’m delighted that we are playing such attractive opposition in our February fixture.

"Holland are regarded as one of the finest teams in world football and this will be a match I’m sure our players and supporters will particularly look forward to.

"As a coach, I have had to prepare my teams to contend with van Basten the player, so it will be interesting preparing a team selected by van Basten the coach!

"Marco was a truly great player with Ajax, AC Milan and Holland, one of the best forwards that football has ever seen and it was terrible that his career was cut short so prematurely by injury.

"Who can forget that fantastic goal he scored against the USSR in the final of Euro ’88 - undoubtedly one of the greatest goals of all time?

"The Dutch players will not be strangers to the England team, especially with the likes of van Nistelrooy, Robben, Kluivert and van der Sar playing in the Premier League.

"Holland also have some very exciting young players such as Rafael van der Vaart and Wesley Sneijder, and it will be good to see them in action against our players."

Tickets for the game at Villa Park go on sale to englandfans on 09 December. Members should call Ticketmaster on 0871 230 2006.

Tickets will be available via general sale on 12 December. For general sale tickets, supporters should call Ticketmaster on 0870 902 0005. Alternatively Ticketmaster can be contacted via www.Ticketmaster.co.uk.

All tickets are sold subject to The FA's Ticket Terms and Conditions.

England's record against Holland