UEFA Super Cup Preview: Paris Saint-Germain vs Aston Villa - Team News, Predictions, Lineups
European champions Paris Saint-Germain will seek to defend their UEFA Super Cup title on Wednesday evening, facing Europa League winners Aston Villa in Salzburg. This matchup marks the second consecutive season PSG face English opposition in this traditional season opener.
Match Preview
After winning last year's Super Cup against Tottenham Hotspur in Udine through a late comeback and penalties, PSG are chasing a rare consecutive victory following another Champions League triumph. Their coach, Luis Enrique, has now claimed 12 trophies since joining Parc des Princes, including a dramatic penalty win over Arsenal after a 1-1 draw.
PSG’s recent pre-season performances include a 3-0 loss at Mallorca and a 1-1 draw with Manchester United, showing they lack match rhythm but still remain formidable. Since losing to Paris FC in January, they have scored in 28 straight competitive matches.
In their Champions League quarter-final run last season, PSG narrowly defeated Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate in an intense encounter. Villa, meanwhile, advanced to Istanbul to claim the Europa League, beating Freiburg decisively in the final. Despite losing key players Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans over the summer, Villa have strengthened by signing Alejandro Garnacho, Joao Gomes, and Johan Manzambi during a busy preseason.
Unai Emery’s squad has split their six friendlies evenly with three wins and three losses, including a recent 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich. Their Premier League campaign begins against Brighton on August 23.
Team Form
- Paris Saint-Germain Pre-season: Loss, Draw
- Aston Villa Pre-season: Win, Loss, Loss, Win, Win, Loss
Team News
PSG welcome back Portuguese players Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, and Joao Neves along with captain Marquinhos after post-World Cup breaks. Players like Ousmane Dembele, Fabian Ruiz, Achraf Hakimi, Lucas Hernandez, Warren Zaire-Emery, and Desire Doue might feature depending on fitness.
Departures include Goncalo Ramos, Randal Kolo Muani, and possibly Bradley Barcola, while new signings Maghnes Akliouche and Lucas Digne (from Aston Villa) have arrived. Ferran Torres is expected soon.
For Aston Villa, Garnacho and Joao Gomes could debut competitively, but Johan Manzambi is sidelined due to a knee injury. Captain John McGinn might miss out after a recent injury, alongside Amadou Onana. Other absentees include Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins, and Emi Martinez. Midfielder Boubacar Kamara has returned recently, and youngster Brian Madjo impressed in preseason with four goals.
Possible 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
PSG could become only the fourth club to win back-to-back UEFA Super Cups, joining Ajax, AC Milan, and Real Madrid. The Champions League winners have dominated recent editions and show a hunger for trophies under Luis Enrique. Meanwhile, Aston Villa are undergoing a rebuild and face a tough challenge against a strong PSG side.
Our forecast is a 2-0 win for Paris Saint-Germain.
