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PSG vs Aston Villa: Super Cup preview, team news, lineups and prediction
12th August, 2026 02:30 PM
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will look to defend their UEFA Super Cup crown when they take on Europa League champions Aston Villa at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg on Wednesday night, August 12, 2026.
The French giants, fresh from another Champions League triumph, are aiming to add yet another trophy under Luis Enrique, while Unai Emery’s Villa will be seeking to make a strong statement after their impressive Europa League campaign.
Match preview
PSG enter the contest hoping to emulate the achievement of Real Madrid, who won successive Super Cups in 2016 and 2017.
The Parisians claimed last year’s trophy after recovering from a difficult position against Tottenham Hotspur before eventually prevailing on penalties in Udine.
That success came shortly after another Champions League triumph, with PSG overcoming Arsenal in a shootout following a 1-1 stalemate. The victory marked the 12th major trophy secured by Enrique since taking charge at the Parc des Princes.
Another piece of silverware would take the Spanish coach’s tally to 13 before PSG turn their attention to the Trophee des Champions against Lens and then begin their Ligue 1 title defence against Rennes on August 23, 2026.
PSG have not enjoyed the smoothest pre-season, losing 3-0 to Mallorca in a friendly before drawing 1-1 with Manchester United. Several of their World Cup stars were unavailable during those fixtures.
Nevertheless, the European champions remain a formidable attacking force. They have found the net in every competitive match since their derby defeat to Paris FC in January, a run stretching to 28 games.
Their previous encounter with Villa also produced plenty of drama. PSG progressed 5-4 on aggregate in the Champions League quarter-finals despite losing the second leg, eventually going on to win the competition.
Villa, meanwhile, arrive after an historic Europa League campaign. Emery’s side travelled to Istanbul for the final, where they dismantled Freiburg to lift the trophy and end a three-decade wait for major silverware.
However, Villa have since lost two important figures from that triumph, with England international Morgan Rogers and Belgium captain Youri Tielemans departing the club.
The Midlands outfit have responded by bringing in Alejandro Garnacho, Joao Gomes and Johan Manzambi as part of a busy summer rebuild.
Villa have won three and lost three of their six pre-season matches, with their latest outing ending in a 2-1 defeat against Bayern Munich.
Their first competitive fixture of the new campaign comes against PSG before they travel to Brighton for their Premier League opener on August 23.
Emery has considerable experience in European competition, particularly the Europa League, but the Super Cup has proved elusive. The Spanish manager has lost all three of his previous attempts to win the trophy, including a 5-4 defeat against Luis Enrique’s Barcelona during his time at Sevilla.
Villa, on the other hand, have a 100 per cent record in their only previous Super Cup appearance. They defeated Barcelona 3-1 on aggregate in 1982, shortly after winning the European Cup by beating Bayern Munich.
Team news
PSG could welcome several key players back into their starting XI after they returned from their post-World Cup holidays.
Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves and captain Marquinhos all featured against Manchester United, while Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue, Fabian Ruiz, Achraf Hakimi, Lucas Hernandez and Warren Zaire-Emery could also be involved if they are deemed ready.
The French champions have already seen Goncalo Ramos, Randal Kolo Muani and Lee Kang-in leave during the summer. Bradley Barcola’s future also remains uncertain amid interest from Liverpool.
Maghnes Akliouche represents PSG’s major addition so far, while former Villa defender Lucas Digne has also arrived. Ferran Torres is reportedly expected to follow after agreeing terms with the European champions.
Villa could hand competitive debuts to Garnacho and Gomes, although Manzambi will not feature after suffering a knee problem while representing Switzerland.
Captain John McGinn is also a concern after being forced off during the friendly victory over BG Pathum United. He could join Manzambi and Amadou Onana, who is recovering from an ACL injury, on the sidelines.
Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez are also unavailable.
There is better news regarding Boubacar Kamara, who has returned after a lengthy absence. Youngster Brian Madjo has also impressed during pre-season, scoring four goals after resolving his eligibility issue.
Predicted 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 2-0 Aston Villa
PSG appear to have the stronger hand as they attempt to become only the fourth side to successfully retain the UEFA Super Cup.
Champions League winners have dominated the competition in recent years, claiming the last seven editions, and PSG’s remarkable trophy haul under Enrique makes them difficult to overlook.
Villa’s Europa League triumph demonstrates their quality, but Emery’s squad is still undergoing significant changes following the departures of several key players.
With PSG already accustomed to winning on the biggest European stages and possessing greater continuity, the French champions should have enough quality to secure another trophy.
