Emery eyes Super Cup success as Villa face PSG with depleted squad

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is focused on pushing the team to new heights as they prepare to face European champions Paris St Germain in this Wednesday's UEFA Super Cup. Villa achieved this by ending a 30-year wait for major silverware last season, winning the Europa League final against Freiburg in May. This victory marked the club's first continental success since the European Cup in 1982 and their first major trophy since the League Cup in 1996.

Emery, who has been with Villa for four years, expressed his satisfaction with the team's response and their adherence to the standards set by the manager. He emphasized that the club wants to build its own mentality and is not stopping at their current achievements.

Emery, still searching for his first Super Cup title after three failed attempts, faces a depleted squad for the impending match against PSG. The team has undergone significant changes during the transfer window, with players such as Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Jadon Sancho, Douglas Luiz, and Lucas Digne leaving the club. Injuries have further complicated Emery's preparations, with Amadou Onana and Johan Manzambi unavailable.

Despite these setbacks, Emery remains confident, stating that Villa's ambitions and growth remain on the same trajectory as his own. The club has been increasing its budget through good results and the sale of some players, which has positively impacted their brand and progress. Villa will also be without several key players who participated in the World Cup and have been granted additional rest, including England defender Ezri Konsa, striker Ollie Watkins, and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Emery acknowledged that both teams are in a similar situation, and they will start with the players they have, hoping to secure a good result with the capacity they possess.