Alejandro Garnacho has been left out of Aston Villa’s matchday squad for tonight’s UEFA Super Cup showdown with Paris Saint-Germain.
Unai Emery has named his starting XI and substitutes in Salzburg, but Garnacho is absent from both despite being included in Villa’s wider squad for the final.
His omission is particularly eye-catching after UEFA suggested earlier on Wednesday that the Argentina international could make his competitive Villa debut against PSG.
Alejandro Garnacho misses Aston Villa vs PSG
Garnacho had even been included in UEFA’s predicted Aston Villa line-up alongside Emi Buendía and John McGinn behind Tammy Abraham.
However, UEFA also listed the winger as doubtful for the final because of a facial issue.
No official reason for his absence from the matchday squad has yet been confirmed, so it would be premature to suggest his omission is purely a tactical decision.
Garnacho had been available during Villa’s pre-season campaign after arriving from Chelsea and appeared against Indonesia All Stars and BG Pathum United.
ReadAstonVilla highlighted the winger as one of the major decisions facing Emery in our three Aston Villa selection calls before the PSG final.
Instead, Emery has gone with a youthful-looking attacking selection.
Buendía starts, while Madio and Hemmings have both been given huge opportunities on the European stage. Abraham begins the game among the substitutes.
Garnacho’s absence removes another senior attacking option on a night when Villa are already without Ollie Watkins.
Attention will now turn to whether Villa provide any further explanation for his omission before or after the game.
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