Aston Villa have been handed an early selection clue ahead of the UEFA Super Cup after Paris Saint-Germain named an experimental side against Manchester United.
Villa face the Champions League winners in Salzburg on Wednesday, but Luis Enrique has resisted the temptation to immediately return to his strongest XI in PSG’s final friendly before the game.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is the standout senior attacker against United, while several younger players have been handed opportunities.
PSG make major changes before Aston Villa clash
PSG XI vs Manchester United: Safonov; Pacho, Zabarnyi, Koukaba, Boly, Beraldo; Dro, Mayulu; Kvaratskhelia, Ayari, Mbaye.
The selection gives Unai Emery another opportunity to assess PSG before Wednesday’s first competitive game of the season.
PSG’s official fixture schedule confirms the United friendly is their final game before facing Aston Villa, leaving Luis Enrique with only four days between the two matches.
The French champions have had an unusual preparation after several players went deep into the World Cup.
French reports previously indicated that players involved in the latter stages of the tournament would receive their mandatory summer break before returning, leaving PSG with limited preparation time ahead of the Super Cup.
That could explain why Enrique has again turned to a mixture of senior players and younger options in Gothenburg.
For Villa, the important question will be how many of PSG’s established stars are ready to start on Wednesday.
Aston Villa can learn from Manchester United test
Emery will still be watching closely.
Kvaratskhelia offers the clearest indication of the attacking threat Villa could face, while Willian Pacho and Illia Zabarnyi provide experience in defence.
The game should also give Villa information on PSG’s pressing structure and how quickly Enrique’s side are able to build rhythm after a disrupted summer.
Bayern controlled long periods of Friday’s friendly before João Gomes scored late and Tammy Abraham nearly equalised.
Villa therefore have their own issues to correct, but PSG’s preparation has hardly been straightforward either.
Wednesday’s meeting will be the first competitive fixture for both teams.
What happens against Manchester United could now provide Emery with his final major scouting opportunity before Villa attempt to lift their second trophy under the Spaniard.
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