Unai Emery Calls PSG Favorites Ahead of UEFA Super Cup Clash with Aston Villa
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has shifted expectations toward Paris Saint-Germain ahead of their UEFA Super Cup showdown. The Midlands club is preparing for its first appearance in this event since 1982, following a stunning Europa League victory last season. Emery insists that Champions League holders PSG stand as the favorites going into the game.
Emery Highlights PSG's Edge
At his pre-match press conference, Emery emphasized the pressure on PSG, a team he knows well from his past coaching stint there. He said, "We are going to try to get the message across to the dressing room, preparing for the match knowing that they feel like favorites. Because of course they are." While Villa has risen impressively, PSG aims to reaffirm its dominance in European football.
Reflecting on a quarter-final clash between these sides two years ago, Emery recalled that despite Villa’s loss, their performance showed they could compete against Europe's best.
Squad Challenges for Aston Villa
Villa's preparations have been disrupted by absences. Key players including Emi Martinez, Ezri Konsa, and Ollie Watkins have missed traveling to Salzburg due to recent international duties. Emery defended resting them, noting, "They finished the season on July 19 and I have given them four weeks of vacation, I think it is completely necessary."
Summer signing Manzambi is also out with injury, further testing Villa’s squad depth. On a positive note, qualification for the Super Cup brought a multi-million-pound payout, which might help strengthen the team during the closing days of the transfer window. Emery addressed ongoing interest in Joao Palhinha without confirming anything: "In the last weeks of the market, players can move. I don’t talk about specific players, but we all know Palhinha."
Luis Enrique Faces His Own Selection Issues
PSG coach Luis Enrique has voiced frustration over limited player availability. The World Cup's late finish disrupted PSG’s preseason, leaving key stars returning only recently. Enrique remarked, "I do not have players. Some players returned on Monday, and others returned last week."
This lack of preparation time makes it hard to judge who can sustain their performance for a full match. Enrique added, "Last year was exceptional, and this year is too. In terms of preparation, it is difficult to manage the number of minutes each player can play. We will try to play at the best possible level."
Significance of the Salzburg Match
The Super Cup meeting in Salzburg represents a milestone for both clubs. For Aston Villa, it is an opportunity to prove their Europa League success was no accident and to show they belong among Europe's elite. Emery counts on the momentum from their recent rise and the energy of younger players. He explained, "We prepare for the match with the players we started with four weeks ago, also with the young players."
Despite his selection troubles, Enrique remains cautious about Villa’s challenge and acknowledges the competition’s prestige. "It is important for every team to win a European title, and we will see what kind of match the two teams can produce tomorrow," he said.
- UEFA Super Cup Fixture: Paris Saint-Germain vs Aston Villa
- Date: 12 August 2026
- Kick-off: 21:00
