The Wallabies will play Uruguay at Villa Park in Birmingham, the home of Aston Villa and which doubled as former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Bosnich's turf during his English Premier League career.

The Wallabies are expected to romp to victory against their minnow opponents.

But inside centre Andres Vilaseca remembers Australian soccer's historic moment that left him shattered 10 years ago when John Aloisi slotted a goal in a penalty shoot-out to beat Uruguay and end the Socceroos' 32-year wait to play at the FIFA World Cup.

Uruguay are writing their own rugby history and the memory of that shoot-out is adding fuel to their motivation against the Wallabies.

"That was crazy, I was very nervous and we didn't get to qualify," Vilaseca said. "It was very emotional when we lost the penalty shoot-out. Maybe we can get one back 10 years later.

"Our country is mad on soccer. I'm a soccer fan and always watch the English Premier League and the Spanish Leagues so to be playing at a soccer ground is amazing.

"Soccer is the big sport, but rugby is starting to pick up. We had 15,000 fans watch us play Russia to qualify for the World Cup and that was amazing."

Villa Park presents a challenge for the Wallabies, who are used to playing on rectangular fields designed for rugby. The field is narrower and the in-goal area is smaller, but the first time the Wallabies will see Bosnich's former stomping ground will be when they run out to warm up for the game.

The Wallabies had their captain's run training session in Bath before moving their base to Birmingham.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has made 14 changes to his starting side and prop Scott Sio is the only player backing up from the 15-point win against Fiji to start their campaign.

"I reckon it will be just as loud at Villa," said hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau. "I'm sure a lot of Birmingham locals are more than keen to get some rugby into them.

"Because they keep missing out with Aston Villa not playing so well, they might see some action."

Uruguay's roster boasts just four professional players. The rest of the 31-man squad juggle full-time work or studies in the soccer-mad country.

Most have put their careers and lives on hold for their one chance on the international stage.

When the World Cup dream ends they'll return to their desks reminiscing of the time they got to play three of the best teams in the world – Australia, England and Wales.

But while no one gives them a hope of troubling the Wallabies, Vilaseca says Uruguay has been inspired by Japan's historic victory against South Africa in one of the first games of the tournament.

"This is a great experience for us, we're very motivated," Vilaseca said. "There's no better motivation than playing the best players in the world.

"We all watched the Japan game and we were very happy for them. That's great motivation for any tier-two team. They have really got us going.

"We've got people who work everywhere – banks, accountants, doctors – so we just love being here and we'll take on anyone."