UEFA Super Cup Preview: Paris Saint-Germain vs Aston Villa - Team News and Predictions

On Wednesday evening, European champions Paris Saint-Germain aim to secure back-to-back UEFA Super Cups when they clash with Europa League winners Aston Villa at the Red Bull Arena. This marks a repeat of facing Premier League opposition after PSG's triumph last season.

Match Background

Last year's UEFA Super Cup saw PSG edge Tottenham Hotspur on penalties after a tense 1-1 draw, a moment that added to Luis Enrique's trophy haul at Parc des Princes. The French side now targets their 13th trophy under his management before starting their Ligue 1 defense against Rennes later this month.

Their pre-season showed signs of rust, including a 3-0 defeat to Mallorca and a 1-1 draw with Manchester United, yet PSG remain confident, having scored in 28 consecutive competitive matches since January.

PSG’s history against Aston Villa hints at an attacking contest. During their Champions League quarter-final run, PSG narrowly overcame Villa 5-4 on aggregate. Aston Villa, although eliminated then, have grown stronger, winning the Europa League last season by defeating Freiburg decisively in Istanbul.

Aston Villa’s Summer Changes and Form

Since lifting their first major trophy in 30 years, Aston Villa saw key players Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans depart. In response, they added Alejandro Garnacho, Joao Gomes, and Swiss talent Johan Manzambi. Their pre-season has been mixed with three wins and three losses, including a recent 2-1 loss to Bayern Munich.

Unai Emery, known for his Europa League success, seeks to win the UEFA Super Cup after three previous attempts ended in defeat. Interestingly, Aston Villa hold a perfect record in this competition, having beaten Barcelona 3-1 on aggregate in 1982.

Pre-season Results

• Paris Saint-Germain: Loss, Draw
• Aston Villa: Win, Loss, Loss, Win, Win, Loss

Team News

PSG welcome back several Portuguese internationals—Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves—and captain Marquinhos from World Cup breaks. Other potential contributors include Ousmane Dembele, Fabian Ruiz, Achraf Hakimi, Lucas Hernandez, Desire Doue, and Warren Zaire-Emery if fit. Departures include Goncalo Ramos, Randal Kolo Muani, and possibly Bradley Barcola.

New signings for PSG feature Maghnes Akliouche and Lucas Digne, with Ferran Torres expected soon. For Aston Villa, Garnacho and Joao Gomes could debut competitively, but Johan Manzambi will miss out due to a knee injury. Captain John McGinn’s fitness is doubtful after a recent injury, alongside absentees Amadou Onana, Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins, and Emi Martinez. Boubacar Kamara has returned from injury, while Brian Madjo impressed in pre-season scoring four goals.

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

PSG are poised to become only the fourth team to retain the UEFA Super Cup, joining Ajax, AC Milan, and Real Madrid in that exclusive group. The Champions League holders have dominated recent editions and remain strong contenders under Luis Enrique. Aston Villa, undergoing a squad rebuild, face a tough challenge.

Our forecast: Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 Aston Villa.