Aston Villa’s UEFA Super Cup squad has been confirmed ahead of next week’s clash with Paris Saint-Germain, with Unai Emery making several notable selection decisions.
UEFA’s official squad list includes only four players classified as midfielders: Ross Barkley, John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara and summer signing João Gomes.
Johan Manzambi is absent as he continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury, while 17-year-old Brian Madjo has also been left out despite scoring four times during pre-season.
Aston Villa Super Cup squad highlights midfield options
Villa’s midfield situation will be one of the biggest issues for Emery to manage before facing the Champions League holders in Salzburg on 12 August.
McGinn has recently been dealing with a knee problem, although there was encouragement over his condition on Thursday. Kamara, meanwhile, has only just returned after seven months out and scored shortly after coming off the bench against BG Pathum United.
ReadAstonVilla highlighted Villa’s midfield as one of five major decisions Emery must settle before facing PSG, and the UEFA squad only increases the importance of those choices.
There are opportunities for several younger players elsewhere.
Goalkeeper Owen Asemota has been included alongside Emiliano Martínez, Marco Bizot and James Wright. Kosta Nedeljković and Modou Keba Cisse are among the defensive options, while Brazilian winger Alysson is listed among the forwards.
Alejandro Garnacho, Tammy Abraham, Ollie Watkins, Evann Guessand and Emiliano Buendía are also available in attack.
Villa still have Friday’s friendly against Bayern Munich to navigate before returning to Europe.
That game should give Emery a final opportunity to assess Kamara, McGinn and Gomes before he has to select a midfield capable of competing with Vitinha, João Neves and the rest of PSG’s European champions.
