The first European trophy of the season is at stake this Wednesday evening in Salzburg. PSG, the reigning double European champions, face Aston Villa, winners of the Europa League. The fixture is prestigious; the conditions, however, are far from ideal for either side.
Weakened squads
Paris welcomed back their World Cup players very late. Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola and Fabian Ruiz have only just returned to training, while Achraf Hakimi and Warren Zaïre-Emery are still short of match sharpness. Luis Enrique will have a decision to make: start his key players or rely on those who completed a full pre-season.
Aston Villa are even more depleted. Emiliano Martínez, Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins are ruled out, with Leon Bailey and Amadou Onana also absent. John McGinn remains doubtful. Unai Emery must reshape a side that has also undergone significant changes over the summer.
Probable line-ups
PSG — 4-3-3
- Safonov
- Hakimi – Marquinhos – Pacho – Nuno Mendes
- Vitinha – João Neves – Dro Fernández
- Ibrahim Mbaye – Senny Mayulu – Kvaratskhelia
Aston Villa — 4-2-3-1
- Bizot
- Cash – Lindelöf – Pau Torres – Maatsen
- João Gomes – Kamara
- McGinn – Buendía – Garnacho
- Abraham
Probable line-ups, subject to change before kick-off.
Key things to watch
On the Parisian side, one of the points of interest will be Maghnes Akliouche. The new signing from Monaco is in the squad and could make his first official appearance, though the latest indications suggest he will not start from the off.
The context points to an unusual match: Paris have a more talented and deeper squad, but Villa have been working together collectively for far longer — six friendly matches played compared to just two for PSG.
The two clubs are already acquainted. In the quarter-finals of the 2024-2025 Champions League, Paris progressed on an aggregate score of 5-4. This time, there will be no second leg and no room for calculation.
A trophy is at stake, and both teams will have to chase it with squads still far from their optimal level.
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