John McGinn Says Aston Villa Have No Limits Ahead of UEFA Super Cup Clash with PSG
Aston Villa captain John McGinn remains convinced that the club has no limits despite recent player departures. The Premier League side is preparing to face Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup final in Salzburg, with manager Unai Emery eager to overcome his past disappointments in the competition.
A Fresh-Looking Villa Ready to Take on PSG
This fixture brings back memories of their 2024-25 Champions League quarter-final clash, where Villa pushed PSG hard but ultimately lost 5-4 on aggregate. Their spirited 3-2 win at Villa Park showed they could compete with Europe's best. However, the squad Emery will field this time looks quite different from the one that challenged PSG just 18 months ago.
- Departed players: Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne, Youri Tielemans
- Injured: Amadou Onana (long-term)
- Absent due to World Cup rest: Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins
Only four players from that famous Champions League match are expected to start in Austria, presenting a challenge for Emery's team selection.
McGinn Embraces the Challenge and Evolution
Having been with the club for eight years, McGinn has witnessed Villa’s rise from Championship struggles to Champions League contenders. He welcomes the underdog role and wants to silence skeptics again on this big stage.
"A lot has changed in the eight years I have been here," said McGinn. "When you sign the best young English talent and players perform at the highest level, there will be interest. We have a structure, standards, and rules that have brought us success. I'm really excited about the new Aston Villa."
"We still have our core group, the same manager, the same methods, and the same drive to achieve more. Many thought we’d hit a ceiling a couple of seasons ago, but we proved them wrong."
Emery Eyes a Breakthrough Trophy as McGinn Adds Motivation
McGinn keeps the spirit lively in the dressing room by reminding Emery about past near-misses, including the coach’s previous Super Cup defeat to Chelsea. Emery, who recently won his fifth Europa League title, sees this trophy as a special prize that has eluded him so far.
"He was reminding me last week about losing to Chelsea," Emery shared. "Of course, this is an opportunity. A trophy can create a special moment. As professionals, playing for trophies is our goal. PSG are favorites, but I look forward to testing ourselves against them. This trophy makes us proud of what we’ve achieved and how we arrived here."
New Challenges Ahead With Squad Changes
The transformation in Villa’s squad since their last encounter with PSG means Emery faces a tougher task in Salzburg. Still, the return of Boubacar Kamara to the squad offers some hope, even though he’s still regaining full fitness after a knee injury. Over 6,000 Villa fans will be in Austria, creating an electric atmosphere as Emery seeks the elusive Super Cup triumph.
- UEFA Super Cup Final
- Date: 12 August 2026
- Time: 21:00
- Teams: Aston Villa vs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
