PSG vs Aston Villa in UEFA Super Cup: Champions League Winners Aim to Retain Trophy

Just three weeks after the World Cup final, the first title of the new European football season will be decided in the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Aston Villa at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, Austria.

The annual showdown between the reigning Champions League and Europa League winners gives PSG a chance to become only the second club in the modern era to retain the Super Cup, following Real Madrid in 2016 and 2017. PSG defeated Tottenham on penalties in last year's edition.

PSG's Squad Ahead of the New Season

PSG's players have returned to preseason training in varying states of readiness, depending on their World Cup participation — with one notable exception.

Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, who starred for France with six goals and two assists at the World Cup, reported back on Monday alongside teammates Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola. They are joined by midfielder Fabian Ruiz, a World Cup winner with Spain, whose outstanding performance helped his side beat France in the semifinals.

Star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia did not play in the tournament as Georgia failed to qualify, and he has been training for some time. He is almost certain to start on his preferred left flank, while new signing Maghnes Akliouche could occupy the right wing.

Akliouche's arrival from Monaco may coincide with Barcola's departure — the winger scored three goals at the World Cup and is rumored to be heading to Liverpool in the Premier League. Coach Luis Enrique's squad may also include Lucas Digne, a former Aston Villa player.

Villa sold Digne to PSG on Sunday for a reported fee of €10 million ($11.6 million), returning the 33-year-old left-back to one of his first clubs. Digne was among the first signings when PSG began their new era under Qatari investors QSI. Born in the Paris suburbs, he joined PSG from Lille in 2013, later playing for Roma and Barcelona before eight years in the Premier League with Everton and Villa, where he made 182 appearances and was one of Unai Emery's most consistent players.

How Will Unai Emery Cope Without Key Midfielders?

Aston Villa will look different as they enter their fourth full season under Emery, the former PSG coach. Key midfielders Morgan Rogers (to Chelsea), Youri Tielemans (to Manchester United), and Digne have all left during the break. New arrivals include Swiss World Cup star Johan Manzambi and Brazilian midfielder Joao Gomes, who joined from relegated Wolverhampton. Manzambi is sidelined with a knee injury.

Villa won the Europa League after beating Freiburg 3-0 in the final and will make a second consecutive appearance in the Champions League under Emery.

Last Meeting Between the Two Sides

Aston Villa won 3-2 in the second leg of last season's Champions League knockout round, but it was not enough to overturn PSG's 3-1 advantage from the first leg. These are the only two meetings in the clubs' history.

Prediction

According to Opta's supercomputer simulations, PSG are favored, winning in 90 minutes in 45% of 10,000 pre-match simulations. Villa have a 29.6% chance of winning in regular time, while the likelihood of a draw — leading to extra time and possibly penalties — stands at 25.5%.

A notable stat: Coach Emery has lost all three of his previous Super Cup appearances, while Luis Enrique has won both of his. PSG are aiming to become only the fourth club to successfully defend the Super Cup.

Referee Draws Special Attention

The match also gives UEFA a chance to show its stance toward FIFA amid growing tensions between the two powerful football bodies, especially after recent actions by FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The referee is Omar Artan, a Somali official who was barred by the United States from officiating at the World Cup just days before the tournament began due to vetting concerns. U.S. officials claimed Artan had links to terrorist organizations, but provided no evidence.

UEFA responded by selecting Artan — voted Africa's best referee last season — to take charge of the Super Cup, a move welcomed by the football community and seen as a shrewd political statement. Discord between UEFA and FIFA has intensified after UEFA led a campaign to oust Infantino over plans to sell part of the World Cup's commercial rights (later scrapped).

Team News and Likely Lineups

PSG: Barcola, Dembele, Doue, Ruiz, Achraf Hakimi, Lucas Hernandez, and Warren Zaire-Emery are all doubtful with fitness issues. Likely lineup: Safonov; Zabarnyi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Dro Fernandez; Mbaye, Mayulu, Kvaratskhelia.

Aston Villa: Missing Leon Bailey (muscle), Johan Manzambi (knee), and Amadou Onana (knee). Alejandro Garnacho (face), John McGinn (knee), Emiliano Konsa, Emiliano Martinez, and Ollie Watkins (fitness) are all doubts. Likely lineup: Bizot; Cash, Lindelof, Pau Torres, Maatsen; Joao Gomes, Kamara; McGinn, Buendia, Garnacho; Abraham.