Aston Villa is ready to challenge the elite, despite personnel losses before the UEFA Super Cup

Midfielder John McGinn is convinced that Aston Villa will continue to challenge the Premier League and European giants despite major summer changes. Three key performers left the team: Morgan Rogers, Yuri Thielemans and Lucas Digne. The latter joined the French team Paris Saint-Germain, with whom the Birmingham team will meet this Wednesday in the match for the UEFA Super Cup. However, the captain of the team emphasizes that the hunger and desire that brought the club triumph in the Europa League last season continues. "A lot has changed, yes, but a lot has changed in the eight years I've been here. When you sign the best young talent, there's always going to be interest in them. We have the structure and the standards that have made us successful. Our job is just to integrate the newcomers and get them to believe in our philosophy," said John. McGinn is confident that the team has retained its main asset: a strong mentality that allows to destroy stereotypes (in particular, the opinion of critics that the team reached its ceiling a few years ago). The unchanged coaching staff and Unai Emery's proven methods and experience of facing the best clubs in England and Europe on a regular basis. Head coach Unai Emery said that the team will not be able to count on Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa and Emiliano Martinez in the match in Salzburg against PSG. The trio were given an extended holiday after grueling performances at the World Cup. For the Spanish specialist, this will be another attempt to win the Super Cup - he previously lost three times in the finals of the tournament (in particular, in 2021, his Villarreal lost to Chelsea in a penalty shootout). "Of course we won't be in the best shape tomorrow, because we only started training four weeks ago, but we will compete. Even with the involvement of young players, tomorrow I expect a decent fight from the team on the pitch," admitted Emery.