Paris Saint-Germain vs Aston Villa: UEFA Super Cup Preview, Team News, and Lineups
On Wednesday evening, European champions Paris Saint-Germain aim to defend their UEFA Super Cup title when they face Europa League winners Aston Villa. The match will take place at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, setting up a clash between Luis Enrique’s powerful PSG squad and Unai Emery’s side.
Match Overview
PSG are chasing back-to-back Super Cups, a feat last achieved by Real Madrid in 2016 and 2017. Last year, PSG won the trophy after a tense encounter against Tottenham Hotspur in Udine, overcoming Spurs on penalties following a late comeback. This year, the French giants again face English opposition after clinching another Champions League crown.
In their recent history with Aston Villa, PSG edged past the Villans 5-4 on aggregate in a dramatic Champions League quarter-final en route to their first title. Villa, despite exiting that competition, went on to win the Europa League last season with a convincing victory over Freiburg in Istanbul, ending a 30-year trophy drought.
Pre-season Form
- Paris Saint-Germain: Lost 3-0 to Mallorca, Drew 1-1 with Manchester United
- Aston Villa: Won 3, Lost 3 (including a 2-1 loss to Bayern Munich)
PSG are still sharpening their match fitness but have maintained an impressive run, scoring in 28 consecutive competitive matches since January. Villa, meanwhile, prepare for their Premier League opener against Brighton on August 23 after a busy pre-season involving six friendlies.
Team News
Paris Saint-Germain welcome back key players such as Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, and captain Marquinhos, all returning from post-World Cup breaks. Additional stars like Ousmane Dembele, Fabian Ruiz, Achraf Hakimi, Lucas Hernandez, and Warren Zaire-Emery could feature if deemed fit. Departures include Goncalo Ramos, Randal Kolo Muani, and Lee Kang-in, while new arrivals Maghnes Akliouche and Lucas Digne (formerly of Aston Villa) bolster the squad. Ferran Torres, a World Cup final standout, is expected to join soon.
Aston Villa might see Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Gomes make their debuts, but record signing Johan Manzambi is sidelined with a knee injury. Captain John McGinn suffered a knock in a recent friendly, potentially ruling him out alongside Amadou Onana (ACL). Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins, and Emi Martinez remain absent. Positive signs come from Boubacar Kamara’s return and Brian Madjo’s four goals during pre-season.
Likely 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
Paris Saint-Germain are poised to become only the fourth team to successfully defend the UEFA Super Cup, joining Ajax, AC Milan, and Real Madrid. Their recent dominance in this competition and hunger for trophies under Luis Enrique contrast with Aston Villa’s ongoing rebuild under Unai Emery. Our forecast points to a 2-0 win for PSG.
