Aston Villa’s friendly against Bayern Munich on Friday is more than another pre-season exercise for Unai Emery.
Five days later, Villa face Paris Saint-Germain in Salzburg for the UEFA Super Cup. UEFA confirms the Europa League winners will meet the Champions League holders on 12 August, with Villa aiming to win the trophy for the second time.
The Bayern game is therefore Emery’s final major opportunity to settle several issues before silverware is at stake.
Aston Villa midfield still needs clarity
1. Is Boubacar Kamara ready to start?
Kamara’s return against BG Pathum United was one of the most encouraging moments of Villa’s tour. He came off the bench and scored after seven months out with a knee injury.
ReadAstonVilla’s predicted XI has Kamara starting alongside João Gomes against Bayern. If he can handle a longer spell against high-level opposition, that partnership could also become an option against PSG.
2. What does Emery do if John McGinn is unavailable?
McGinn’s knee problem has created another concern in an area already short of numbers.
There has been no confirmed diagnosis, so Villa should not get ahead of themselves. What Emery does against Bayern could still show which midfielder he trusts if his captain is not ready for Salzburg.
That decision carries greater weight because Johan Manzambi will definitely miss the Super Cup. ReadAstonVilla reported that Villa’s record signing remains in rehabilitation after the knee injury he suffered during the World Cup.
Emery must settle Aston Villa attack
3. Who leads the line behind Ollie Watkins?
Brian Madjo has forced himself into the conversation with four pre-season goals.
The 17-year-old can now play competitive football after Villa won their registration appeal. Bayern should provide a much better indication of whether Emery believes he is already ready to provide serious support to Watkins.
4. Where does Alejandro Garnacho fit?
Garnacho’s facial injury against BG Pathum appeared less concerning than McGinn’s problem, but Villa still need to establish his role.
He gives Emery pace and direct running from the left, while Emi Buendía and Evann Guessand offer different qualities. Bayern is an opportunity to begin working out which combination provides the best balance.
Which Aston Villa defence faces PSG?
5. What is Emery’s strongest back four?
That question remains harder to answer than it did at the start of the summer.
Pau Torres is working his way back, while Villa have also integrated Victor Lindelöf and several younger defenders during pre-season. Emery needs stability before facing a PSG attack capable of punishing uncertainty.
Villa officially describe Bayern as the final match of their Asian tour before the squad returns to Europe. The club’s pre-season schedule confirms the Hong Kong friendly takes place on 7 August.
The result against Bayern will quickly be forgotten.
The decisions Emery makes around Kamara, his attack and his defence could matter considerably more in Salzburg.
