UEFA Super Cup Preview: Paris Saint-Germain vs Aston Villa - Predictions, Team Updates, and Lineups
On Wednesday evening, European champions Paris Saint-Germain aim to secure back-to-back UEFA Super Cups as they take on Europa League victors Aston Villa. The match unfolds at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, where Luis Enrique's PSG meets Unai Emery's Villans.
Match Background
PSG are chasing a repeat of the feat achieved by Real Madrid in 2016 and 2017. Last season, they edged out Tottenham Hotspur on penalties after a late comeback in Udine to claim the Super Cup. This year, they again face a Premier League side, having clinched another Champions League trophy recently.
In their pursuit of silverware, PSG overcame Arsenal on penalties following a tense 1-1 draw, marking Luis Enrique's twelfth trophy since joining Parc des Princes. The coach is now eyeing his thirteenth with this fixture before focusing on the Trophee des Champions against Lens and the Ligue 1 opener versus Rennes on August 23.
Despite missing several World Cup stars, PSG’s pre-season saw a tough 3-0 loss to Mallorca and a 1-1 draw against Manchester United. Their competitive form remains strong, having scored in 28 consecutive official matches since losing the derby to Paris FC in January.
Historically, clashes between these sides have been thrilling. During PSG’s first Champions League win campaign, they narrowly defeated Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate in a frenetic quarter-final tie.
Aston Villa’s Journey and Squad Changes
Aston Villa bowed out of Europe in that quarter-final but went on to capture the Europa League last season with a dominant win over Freiburg in Istanbul, ending a 30-year wait for a major trophy.
Since then, key players like Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans have departed. The club has swiftly filled gaps with signings such as Alejandro Garnacho, Joao Gomes, and Swiss talent Johan Manzambi amid a busy pre-season. They have played six friendlies, winning three and losing three, including a recent 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich.
The Villans kick off their competitive fixtures with this Super Cup clash before hosting Brighton in the Premier League on August 23. While Unai Emery boasts success in the Europa League, he has yet to win the Super Cup, having lost all three previous attempts, including a narrow 5-4 defeat to Luis Enrique’s Barcelona during his Sevilla days. In contrast, Aston Villa holds a perfect Super Cup record, having beaten Barcelona 3-1 on aggregate in their sole prior appearance in 1982.
Pre-Season Form
- Paris Saint-Germain: L, D
- Aston Villa: W, L, L, W, W, L
Team News
PSG’s Portuguese trio Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, and Joao Neves, alongside captain Marquinhos, returned from post-World Cup breaks and featured against Manchester United. More stars like Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Fabian Ruiz, Achraf Hakimi, Lucas Hernandez, and Warren Zaire-Emery might join if deemed fit.
Departures include Goncalo Ramos, Randal Kolo Muani, and Lee Kang-in. Liverpool target Bradley Barcola’s future remains uncertain. New arrivals include Maghnes Akliouche and Lucas Digne, the latter arriving from Aston Villa. Ferran Torres, a World Cup final standout, is expected soon.
Aston Villa could debut Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Gomes competitively, but Johan Manzambi will miss out due to a knee injury. Captain John McGinn sustained an injury recently and might be sidelined along with Amadou Onana (ACL). Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins, and Emi Martinez remain absent. Boubacar Kamara has made a comeback, while Brian Madjo impressed in pre-season with four goals after clearing eligibility hurdles.
Projected Starting Lineups
- Paris Saint-Germain: Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Mayulu; Akliouche, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
- Aston Villa: Bizot; Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen; Gomes, Kamara; Hemmings, Buendia, Garnacho; Abraham
Prediction
We think Paris Saint-Germain will edge out Aston Villa 2-0. PSG could become just the fourth team to retain the UEFA Super Cup, joining Ajax, AC Milan, and Real Madrid. Their recent dominance in the competition and trophy-hungry approach under Luis Enrique contrasts with the Villans’ ongoing rebuild under Emery.
