Unai Emery on Aston Villa's Super Cup challenge, Ollie Watkins absence, transfer updates

Unai Emery has spoken about Aston Villa’s UEFA Super Cup challenge against Paris Saint-Germain, acknowledging the European champions as favourites but expressing confidence in his side’s ability to compete. Villa will be without key players Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa and Emiliano Martínez, who are still on holiday after their World Cup campaigns. Emery explained that he gave the trio four weeks’ rest following their July 19 finish, describing the break as “completely necessary” according to the Birmingham Mail.

Villa face PSG in Salzburg on August 12, with Emery reflecting on the clubs’ previous Champions League quarter-final meetings in 2025. Despite losing 5-4 on aggregate, Villa won the second leg 3-2 and came close to forcing extra time. Emery believes those matches demonstrated Villa’s ability to compete with Europe’s elite according to the Birmingham Mail.

In transfer news, Emery confirmed Villa’s interest in João Palhinha but refused to discuss individual targets, stating the club is focused on the Super Cup according to the Birmingham Mail. Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly pursuing Ezri Konsa, with Villa demanding £60 million for the defender, £20 million more than Arsenal’s initial £40 million offer according to the Birmingham Mail.

Emery remains positive about Villa’s outlook despite a summer of significant changes, including the departures of Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne, as well as three coaching staff members. Captain John McGinn echoed this sentiment, describing a “new Aston Villa” and emphasising the club’s continued ambition to compete with England and Europe’s best according to the Birmingham Mail.

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