Aston Villa vs PSG suddenly looks very different for Unai Emery after Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa and Emiliano Martinez were ruled out of Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup. The three absences remove Villa’s first-choice striker, one of their most trusted defenders and their No.1 goalkeeper, forcing Emery into major decisions at both ends of the pitch.
Villa had hoped Watkins and Konsa could feature after both returned to training this week, but Reuters has confirmed that they will miss the final alongside Martinez. Emery explained that the trio need further rest after finishing their seasons late because of the World Cup.
It updates the picture significantly from ReadAstonVilla’s earlier PSG predicted line-up and injury guide, when Watkins and Konsa were still possible starters.
So how does Emery respond?
Marco Bizot gets his biggest Aston Villa opportunity
The goalkeeper decision should be the simplest.
With Martinez unavailable, Marco Bizot is now expected to start. The Dutchman has already been given significant pre-season minutes and impressed against Bayern Munich, with ReadAstonVilla analysing how his performance strengthened his case for a bigger role.
Bizot will hardly receive an easy introduction to competitive football.
PSG possess enormous attacking quality, but Luis Enrique has acknowledged that his squad is short of ideal preparation after the World Cup. That could make Villa’s organisation around Bizot just as important as his individual shot-stopping.
Victor Lindelof could replace Ezri Konsa
Konsa’s absence creates a less straightforward problem.
UEFA’s updated Super Cup preview now predicts a back four of Matty Cash, Victor Lindelof, Pau Torres and Ian Maatsen, with Bizot behind them.
That would put Lindelof directly into one of the biggest games of Villa’s season.
The experienced defender offers composure in possession, but replacing Konsa’s recovery pace against PSG is difficult. Emery may therefore need Villa’s midfield to offer greater protection rather than leaving the centre-backs exposed in transition.
João Gomes and Boubacar Kamara look the natural pairing to provide it.
Tammy Abraham faces enormous Watkins task
The biggest call comes at centre-forward.
Watkins’ movement in behind would have been particularly valuable against PSG’s high defensive line, but his absence leaves Villa without their established first-choice striker.
UEFA currently predicts Tammy Abraham will lead the attack, ahead of alternatives such as Evann Guessand.
Abraham offers Villa a different profile. He can provide a physical focal point, occupy centre-backs and give Emery an outlet when PSG press high.
The attacking three behind him could be just as important. UEFA’s latest prediction has John McGinn, Emiliano Buendia and Alejandro Garnacho supporting Abraham, although McGinn and Garnacho have both carried fitness concerns into the final.
Possible Villa XI:
Bizot; Cash, Lindelof, Pau Torres, Maatsen; João Gomes, Kamara; McGinn, Buendia, Garnacho; Abraham.
Villa have lost three major players from the team Emery might ideally have selected.
His challenge now is making sure the replacements change the personnel without changing Villa’s belief that PSG can be beaten.
