Emery targets his first Super Cup title

Unai Emery, Aston Villa's manager, will attempt on Wednesday in Salzburg to win his first UEFA Super Cup against Paris Saint-Germain, after five lost finals. Aston Villa has just claimed the Europa League title, ending a 30-year drought, but the Super Cup remains a trophy that has eluded them.

  Despite his successes in the Europa League, Emery has never won the Super Cup. He has lost three finals: with Sevilla against Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Chelsea. In 2021, he was defeated on penalties with Villarreal against the Blues. "It's an opportunity. A trophy can give us a special moment. For a professional, playing for trophies is our goal," he said. John McGinn, Villa's captain, reminded Emery of his defeat against Chelsea, highlighting the importance of this match. Carlo Ancelotti, with five Super Cup titles, and Pep Guardiola, with four, are the most decorated coaches in this competition. Ancelotti even won the trophy in 2014 against Sevilla, Emery's former club. For the Spanish coach, this match represents a chance to break a losing streak and add another title to his record. Despite their status as favorites, PSG players downplay the friendly aspect of the competition. Vitinha, the Portuguese midfielder, stated that the club remains "hungry for victories and trophies." "Our pre-season was a bit short, but we are still thirsty for success," he added. Marquinhos, the defender, also emphasized the importance of this match to maintain the club's winning momentum. "Winning trophies is never easy. We know there will be obstacles," he said. Luis Enrique, PSG's coach, won the Super Cup last year with the Parisian club. This 2026 edition marks the team's second consecutive appearance in the final. Despite a reduced preparation, the Parisians show unwavering determination to win another title.   The match between Villa and PSG is a rematch of the 2024-2025 Champions League quarter-final. After being led 3-1 in the first leg and 5-1 on aggregate, the Villans reduced the deficit to 5-4 before losing. This match had revealed Aston Villa's potential against Europe's best clubs. Vitinha acknowledged the difficulty of this match: "It was a very tough test, especially the second half. We will be ready, but we know it will be complicated." Villa's squad has changed significantly since that match. Morgan Rogers, Lucas Digne, Youri Tielemans, and Amadou Onana have left the club, while Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins, and Emi Martinez are absent due to participation in the World Cup. Only four starters from that quarter-final will be fielded on Wednesday. However, McGinn emphasized the stability of the project: "Many things have changed in eight years. We have a solid structure and a team that always wants to progress."