Alejandro Garnacho and Ezri Konsa left out of Aston Villa squad for UEFA Super Cup vs PSG in Salzburg
Alejandro Garnacho and Ezri Konsa did not feature for Aston Villa in their UEFA Super Cup match against Paris Saint-Germain at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. Both absences forced Unai Emery to adjust his selection for the fixture.
Aston Villa reached the Super Cup as reigning UEFA Europa League champions after a 3-0 final victory over Freiburg last season, with Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Buendia and Morgan Rogers scoring that decisive win. This was Villa’s second appearance in the Super Cup; they were victorious the last time they played the fixture in 1982. Emery named what he described as his strongest available lineup but several regulars were unavailable for selection.
Garnacho, who joined Villa on a season-long loan from Chelsea, had been expected to start the Super Cup tie but sustained a head injury in a pre-season friendly against BG Pathum during Villa’s Asian tour. He is undergoing concussion protocols and was therefore not available for selection on Wednesday. The club confirmed his absence ahead of the match.
Ezri Konsa missed the contest after featuring regularly for England at the FIFA World Cup 2026, where the Three Lions finished third. Unai Emery granted Konsa, along with teammate Ollie Watkins, an extended holiday following international duties, which kept both players out of the squad. Villa did not include either player in their matchday selection.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who played in the World Cup final against Spain, was also given an extended break and did not travel with the team for the Super Cup. Marco Bizot started in goal in Martinez’s absence. Villa’s matchday personnel reflected those absences in several positions.
To cover the missing attacking and defensive options Emery started 19-year-old George Hemmings on the left wing, used captain John McGinn on the right flank and positioned Emiliano Buendia centrally behind striker Brian Madjo. Victor Lindelof and Pau Torres were paired in central defence to fill the backline. Those selections formed the core of Villa’s XI for the Salzburg fixture.
The Super Cup took place at Red Bull Arena in Salzburg on August 12, 2026; in India the match kicked off at 12:30 AM IST on August 13. Unai Emery’s side competed in the match without Garnacho, Konsa and Martinez as they sought the UEFA Super Cup in their second-ever appearance.
