news-engine

Aston Villa predicted line-up vs. PSG: Manzambi and McGinn among Super Cup injury worries The latest Aston Villa team news, injury updates and predicted XI for the European Super Cup showdown with PSG. Aston Villa get their 2026/27 season underway on Wednesday when they take on European champions PSG in the European Super Cup – but preparations for the showpiece event in Salzburg have been hampered by a series of pre-season injury issues. Unai Emery could be forced to make do without as many as five first-team players when he takes on last season’s Champions League winners, while three more members of his squad have yet to feature in pre-season due to their participation at the World Cup. With kick-off fast approaching, we’ve taken a look at what Emery’s starting line-up might look like on Wednesday evening, and provided all of the latest Aston Villa team news and injury updates. Johan Manzambi & John McGinn among Aston Villa injury worries Among the players who could miss out on Wednesday’s match are club captain John McGinn and summer signing Johan Manzambi – but at least one stands a chance of being involved. McGinn recently underwent an MRI scan on a knee injury sustained during Aston Villa’s pre-season tour of Asia, which revealed that the damage was less significant than first feared. The Athletic have reported that McGinn is expected to be available for the first match of the Premier League season against Brighton & Hove Albion, and is likely to travel with the squad to Austria. A starting role seems unlikely for McGinn, but the Scotsman suggested in social media posts that he will be in Salzburg on Wednesday evening. He could make the bench if all goes smoothly. Club record signing Manzambi, however, is unlikely to take part. The Switzerland international, who earned a move to Villa Park off the back of a stunning summer, is recovering from his own knee injury and is still believed to be undergoing rehabilitation work in Spain. There is no set date for his return as yet, but he is unlikely to play against PSG and remains a doubt for the start of the domestic campaign. There is a further doubt over the availability of new signing Alejandro Garnacho, who suffered a bloodied face during a friendly match against BG Pathum. The winger was left out of the side for Aston Villa’s final pre-season game in Hong Kong against Bayern Munich, and his status heading into Wednesday evening remains uncertain. Martínez, Konsa & Watkins set to return to face PSG The good news is that Aston Villa will finally welcome back three of their World Cup heroes from an extended summer break – goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, defender Ezri Konsa and striker Ollie Watkins are expected to travel with the squad and could start against PSG. None of the trio have taken part in pre-season warm-up matches in order to give them time to recuperate following their long runs at the World Cup with Argentina and England. Martínez is expected to take over from Marco Bizot between the sticks, with Konsa and Watkins likely playing at least some role as they ramp up preparations for the Premier League season. Aston Villa will, however, be without another member of their World Cup contingent. Amadou Onana suffered a devastating anterior cruciate ligament injury during Belgium’s victory over the United States and is expected to miss most or all of the coming season. The final player likely to miss out is winger Leon Bailey. The Jamaican has been struggling with a muscular issue and is unlikely to be involved with a transfer to Hull City still on the cards. Left-back Lucas Digne, meanwhile, has now completed a long-expected move to PSG and if he does play, it will be for the opposition. Aston Villa predicted starting XI vs. PSG (4-2-3-1): Martínez; Maatsen, Torres, Konsa, Cash; Gomes, Kamara; Garnacho, Buendía, Guessand; Watkins.