Indonesia All Stars name 19-man squad to face Aston Villa on August 1

Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto has assembled a 19-man domestic roster for the Indonesia All Stars to face a 30-man elite touring squad from Aston Villa. While the local side is a hybrid of Indonesia Super League veterans and youth prospects, Unai Emery’s side arrives in Jakarta as a Premier League powerhouse, fresh from winning the Europa League and securing a fourth-place finish in England.

The match, part of the Aston Villa Pre-Season Tour Indonesia 2026, serves as a high-stakes benchmark for the Indonesian players and a tactical rehearsal for the visitors. For Aston Villa, the fixture is a critical warm-up before they face Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup.

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The architectural strategy of the All Stars relies on a tactical bridge provided by players with European academy pedigree. Captain Ezra Walian, a product of the Ajax Amsterdam academy, is expected to lead the effort to disrupt the world-class stars of the visiting side. Walian comes into the match following an impressive 2025-2026 season with Persik Kediri, which earned him a call-up to John Herdman's national team training camp in March.

He is joined in the midfield by Jordy Wehrmann, an academy graduate of Feyenoord. Wehrmann’s resume includes appearances in the Eredivisie and the UEFA Europa League, as well as a Swiss Cup title with FC Luzern before moving to Madura United.

"Aston Villa adalah klub besar Inggris dan juara Eropa. Tentu saya bahagia dan bangga menjadi bagian dari Indonesia All Stars yang akan menghadapi mereka,"

Jordy Wehrmann, midfielder, via Beritasatu

While Walian and Wehrmann provide the European link, the squad also features Brandon Scheunemann, who represents a unique developmental path. Though of German descent and born in Malang on March 9, 2005, Scheunemann is not a naturalized player; he was born and raised in Indonesia, developing his career entirely within the domestic system at clubs including Arema FC, PSIS Semarang, and Persipura Jayapura.

The forward line is built around youth "wonderkids" and prospects. Specifically, Reno Salampessy of Persipura Jayapura enters the match as a focal point after recording five goals and four assists in the second-tier competition last season. Salampessy, a member of Nova Arianto's U-17 national team and son of former national team defender Ricardo Salampessy, faces a definitive moment to validate his professional trajectory against elite opposition.

However, the squad selection reveals a potential structural vulnerability. According to Liputan6, the 19-man list includes only one goalkeeper: Kurniawan Kartika Ajie. The 30-year-old Persita Tangerang keeper is the sole specialist designated to face a Villa attack that now includes new signing Alejandro Garnacho.

The disparity in squad depth is stark:

• Indonesia All Stars: 19 players, including 1 goalkeeper.
• Aston Villa: 30 players.

For the Indonesian side, the objective is defined more by growth than result. Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto stated that the players will gain many lessons from the encounter, asserting that the team will attempt to balance the play as best as possible.

Aston Villa's visit to Jakarta is the first leg of a broader Asian tour. Following the match in Indonesia, Unai Emery’s squad is scheduled to travel to Thailand to play BG Pathum United on August 4, before concluding the tour in Hong Kong with a match against Bayern Muenchen on August 7.

The All Stars' supporting cast includes vice-captain Hasyim Kipuw, a veteran who has played for Bali United, Persija Jakarta, and currently Persis Solo. He is joined by a youth-heavy attack featuring Arkhan Kaka, Hokky Caraka, Jeam Kelly Sroyer, Ramai Rumakiek, M. Khanafi, and Terens Puhiri.

The match is set for 19:00 WIB on August 1, 2026, at the Stadion Utama Gelora Bung Karno.

Technical Management and Roster Depth

To manage the tactical gap against Unai Emery's side, Kurniawan Dwi Yulianto is supported by a specialized coaching staff, including assistant coach Ricky Nelson and goalkeeper coach Hendro Kartiko, according to Antara. This support system is tasked with integrating a squad that combines veteran stability with emerging talent.

The defensive unit is anchored by Hasyim Kipuw, whose experience spans several major clubs including Persija Jakarta, Arema FC, Bhayangkara FC, PSM Makassar, and Barito Putera. Before joining Persis Solo for the 2026-2027 season, Kipuw established a versatility that allows him to operate as both a defender and a defensive midfielder, as noted by Okezone.

The roster is further bolstered by several key personnel across the pitch:

Position	Key Players
Defense	Muhammad Idris, Marsel Usemahu, Oliver Leeming, Yusaku Yamadira
Midfield	Zé Valente, Sho Yamamoto, Febrianto Uopmabin
Attack	Arkhan Kaka, Hokky Caraka, Jeam Kelly Sroyer, Ramai Rumakiek, M. Khanafi, Terens Puhiri

This composition aims to create a balanced response to the 30-man Villa squad. While the All Stars rely on a mix of youth and experience, the pressure remains on Kurniawan Kartika Ajie, who is cited by Okezone as being particularly adept at handling set pieces.

The stakes for the youth players are highlighted by Ricardo Salampessy, who described the encounter as a rare opportunity, noting that not every footballer gets the chance to play against a club of Aston Villa's magnitude, via Beritasatu.

For the visiting English side, the Jakarta fixture is the first of three Asian tour stops. After the August 1 match, the next step is a flight to Thailand to face BG Pathum United on August 4, followed by a final encounter with Bayern Muenchen in Hong Kong on August 7.