Matty Cash Eyes UEFA Super Cup Victory as Aston Villa Prepares to Face Paris Saint-Germain
Matty Cash is determined for Aston Villa to build on last season's success by defeating Paris Saint-Germain and claiming the UEFA Super Cup. The defender described the Champions League holders as the best team worldwide but insisted that Unai Emery's side is ready to fight for another trophy at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig.
Clash of European Champions
This will be Aston Villa's second appearance in the UEFA Super Cup as they face the reigning Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday. The Villans earned their spot by winning the Europa League with a 3-0 victory over Freiburg, securing their first European trophy in 44 years. Meanwhile, PSG retained both their domestic league title and the Champions League after beating Arsenal on penalties in May's final.
Cash Praises PSG and Embraces the Challenge
The Super Cup offers an ideal stage to cap off the hard work and remarkable achievements from last season. Speaking to the club’s official website, the Poland international right-back said: "It’s massive. The manager has mentioned it recently; the season is finished, but you still have the Super Cup, which is finishing off what you did last season."
Cash recognizes the challenge ahead but believes Villa can compete: "We’re up against a fantastic team who are clearly in demand. In football right now, they’re the best team in the world by a mile. Hopefully, we can give them a good game."
He added memories from their Champions League meeting last season: "When we played them in the Champions League, we gave them a tough test. Villa Park was electric that night, and hopefully we can bring that energy to Austria and put on a strong performance. It’s a special match for us—another chance to win a trophy. We’ll give it our all."
Emery’s Influence and Long-Term Ambitions
This encounter marks the third time these teams have met since their 2024-25 Champions League quarter-final, where PSG edged through 5-4 on aggregate. Unai Emery has yet to win a Super Cup, losing in all three previous attempts with Sevilla and Villarreal.
Cash highlighted the mindset the manager has brought to the squad: "Since the manager arrived, he’s shown us what it takes to win. Last year, we talked about lifting trophies, and for several years now, we’ve been finishing in the top four, five, or six."
He emphasized Villa's ambition to stay among Europe’s elite: "We set high standards, competing in Europe and doing well domestically—that’s what everyone wants. Success means consistently being up there, so the levels we set as a group require constant effort. When a club starts winning and maintaining that status, you want to keep it."
Season Opener and Reunion
The Super Cup also serves as a physical and tactical test ahead of Villa’s new Premier League season. The match in Austria will see a reunion with former left-back Lucas Digne, who recently returned to PSG after his release clause was activated.
- Event: UEFA Super Cup
- Date: 12 August 2026
- Time: 21:00
- Teams: Paris Saint-Germain vs Aston Villa
- Venue: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig
