English Premier League giant sends a strong message before the European Super Cup showdown

Before the European Super Cup match against PSG, Unai Emery affirmed that Aston Villa has moved into a completely new stage, where the team is no longer content with merely qualifying for European tournaments but wants to challenge for top honors.

Aston Villa steps into the European Super Cup match against PSG under special circumstances. After a successful season winning the Europa League, the English club experienced a turbulent summer with a series of key personnel leaving Villa Park.

Morgan Rogers moved to Chelsea for £117 million, Youri Tielemans left for £35 million, while Lucas Digne returned to PSG. Several important coaching staff members, including set-piece specialist Austin MacPhee, also departed the club.

However, Unai Emery showed no signs of worry. Appearing before the media at Red Bull Arena ahead of the PSG match, the Spanish manager appeared relaxed, even joking with captain John McGinn. But behind that lighthearted mood was a very clear message: Aston Villa has no intention of stopping.

"We are competing with clubs like Man City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool. I feel the club is entering a new era, with the ability to compete for trophies.", Emery said.

Villa has changed dramatically since the former Arsenal manager took over the club in 2022. They reached the Conference League semifinals in 2024, advanced to the Champions League quarterfinals a year later, and last May lifted the Europa League trophy, the club's first European title since 1983.

Now, another trophy awaits Aston Villa in Salzburg. Their opponent is once again PSG, a team Emery considers 'the best in the world at the moment'. The clash also holds special significance because Villa once made PSG endure extremely difficult moments in the 2024/25 Champions League quarterfinals.

After losing 1-3 in Paris, Aston Villa won 3-2 at Villa Park and at one point came very close to a comeback. PSG eventually advanced with a 5-4 aggregate score, but Emery believes that performance changed the belief of his players.

"Facing a team like PSG and feeling that we can reach their level is very important for the team's confidence. We will try to convey the same message in the dressing room and prepare for the match with the mindset that we will have a chance if we compete in the best way.", he said.

Emery is also particularly looking forward to the tactical battle with Luis Enrique, who once defeated his Sevilla in the 2015 European Super Cup. According to Emery, facing coaches like Pep Guardiola or Luis Enrique does not create pressure; on the contrary, it makes him want to push himself to higher limits.

Midfielder John McGinn shares the same belief as his manager. The Aston Villa captain admits the team is undergoing major personnel changes, but emphasizes that the most important core remains intact.

"We still have the core, the same manager, the same methods, and the same desire to achieve more. A few seasons ago, many thought we had reached our limit, but we proved them wrong. We still have the hunger. I am really excited about a 'new Aston Villa'.", McGinn said.

What happens off the pitch also shows that ambition. Villa is planning to increase Villa Park's capacity to around 50,000 seats, while boosting the budget through performance, commercial revenue, and high-value player sales.

For Emery, that is the foundation for Aston Villa to close the gap with the biggest powers in English and European football. The match against PSG is therefore not just an opportunity for Villa to win another European trophy. It is also the clearest test of Emery's declaration of a 'new era'

"I am feeling comfortable, happy, but we want more. We will not stop here."