Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has admitted that he has found it challenging to predict what Aston Villa team his side will face in the UEFA Super Cup. The match, scheduled for Wednesday, August 12, in Austria, pits the Champions League winners against the Europa League holders.
Villa have seen three starting players leave this summer, including Morgan Rogers, who departed for Chelsea in a deal worth £117 million, and Youri Tielemans, who moved to Manchester United for £35 million. Additionally, Lucas Digne could feature against his former club after returning to the French giants over the weekend, adding to the uncertainty surrounding Villa's lineup.
Enrique's Pre-Match Assessment
Speaking ahead of the clash, Enrique acknowledged the difficulty in gauging Villa's current form and personnel. "We have seen them in the pre-season. There’s a lot of important players that have left, so it is difficult in a pre-season match to assess what team will play tomorrow," he admitted.
The PSG coach also emphasized the importance of the trophy, stating, "It is important for all of the teams to win a European trophy. We will see what match both teams can play tomorrow." He acknowledged the perception of PSG as favorites but cautioned against complacency: "Everyone thinks that we can win, but we have to show it on the pitch. If you look back in history, it’s difficult to find a team that wins all the time - that’s what we are striving for."
Villa's Champions League Run
Villa were eliminated from the Champions League in the quarter-finals of the 2024/25 season, losing 5-4 on aggregate to PSG. However, they won the second leg 3-2 at Villa Park and missed several opportunities to force the tie into extra time.
Reflecting on that encounter, Enrique noted, "Every opponent showed their level against us, and they all wanted to beat us in the last two years." He praised his team's progress, saying, "We can see how we have improved in every match in the Champions League. We are happy with what we did and how we played. What's important is to be unpredictable for the opponent - that’s what we aim for. We think that it will be important throughout the season."
Match Details and Viewing Information
The UEFA Super Cup final will be broadcast live on TNT Sports, with fans able to watch via HBO Max or Prime Video's HBO Max channel. Villa will provide a team news update when Unai Emery speaks to the media on Wednesday night, offering further clarity on the lineup ahead of the match.
