Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa head into Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg with reshaped squads following a busy transfer window, as PSG chase a rare feat: becoming only the fourth club to retain the trophy. Kickoff at Stadion Salzburg in Austria is set for 19:00 GMT, roughly three weeks after this year’s World Cup final.

PSG Return From International Duty in Waves

PSG’s preparations have been shaped by the staggered return of players from the World Cup. Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, who scored six goals and provided two assists in a standout tournament for France, rejoined the squad only on Monday, alongside French internationals Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola. Spain’s Fabian Ruiz, whose performance was pivotal in his country’s semifinal win over France, also returned this week.

Winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, whose native Georgia failed to qualify for the tournament, has been back in training considerably longer and is expected to start on the left flank. New signing Maghnes Akliouche, recently arrived from Monaco, could feature on the opposite wing — a move that comes as Barcola, who scored three goals at the World Cup, is reportedly drawing interest from Liverpool.

Enrique’s squad may also include former Aston Villa defender Lucas Digne, who completed a move to PSG on Sunday in a transfer reported at 10 million euros, or roughly $11.6 million. The deal returns the 33-year-old left-back to a club where his career began: Digne, who grew up in the Paris suburbs, joined PSG from Lille in 2013 and was among the club’s first signings after its takeover by Qatari ownership group QSI. He went on to play for Roma and Barcelona before spending eight years in the Premier League with Everton and Villa, making 182 appearances for the latter under Emery.

Villa Rebuilds Midfield After Key Departures

Aston Villa enters its fourth full season under manager Unai Emery with a notably different squad after losing several established midfielders. Morgan Rogers departed for Chelsea and Youri Tielemans moved to Manchester United, in addition to Digne’s exit to PSG.

To replace them, Villa has brought in Swiss World Cup standout Johan Manzambi and Brazilian midfielder Joao Gomes, signed from relegated Wolverhampton. Manzambi will miss Wednesday’s match with a knee injury.

Villa’s participation in the Super Cup follows a 3-0 win over Freiburg in May’s Europa League final and marks the club’s second appearance in the Champions League under Emery.

A Recent History Confined to One Tie

The clubs have met only once before, in last season’s Champions League. Villa won the second leg 3-2, but the result was not enough to overturn PSG’s 3-1 advantage from the first leg, and PSG advanced.

Data Model Favors PSG, but Not Overwhelmingly

Statistical analysis group Opta ran 10,000 simulations of Wednesday’s match ahead of kickoff, giving PSG a 45 percent chance of winning inside 90 minutes. Villa were given a 29.6 percent chance of a regulation win, while a draw — which would send the match to extra time and potentially penalties — was projected at 25.5 percent.

The two managers carry contrasting records in the competition. Emery has lost all three of his previous UEFA Super Cup appearances, while Enrique has won both of his. PSG, the defending champions after beating Tottenham on penalties last year, are attempting to become just the fourth club to retain the trophy.

A Referee Appointment With Political Undertones

The choice of match official has drawn attention beyond the pitch. Somali referee Omar Artan, rated the best official in Africa last season, was barred from officiating at this year’s World Cup by United States authorities days before the tournament began, citing vetting concerns and alleged — but unproven — connections to terrorist organizations.

UEFA’s decision to appoint Artan to referee the Super Cup was widely welcomed within the football community and has also been read as a pointed gesture by the European governing body toward FIFA. The move comes amid worsening relations between the two organizations, with UEFA among the confederations pushing for accountability from FIFA president Gianni Infantino over his since-abandoned plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors.

Squad Availability

PSG will be without several players due to fitness concerns heading into the match, including Barcola, Dembele, Doue, Ruiz, Achraf Hakimi, Lucas Hernandez and Warren Zaire-Emery, all of whom are listed as doubts.

Villa’s absence list is longer. Leon Bailey is out with a muscular injury and Manzambi and Amadou Onana are sidelined with knee problems. Alejandro Garnacho (facial injury), John McGinn (knee) and fitness doubts surrounding Emiliano Konsa, Emiliano Martinez and Ollie Watkins leave Emery with selection questions to resolve before kickoff.

Projected Lineups

PSG’s predicted starting eleven is: Safonov; Zabarnyi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Dro Fernandez; Mbaye, Mayulu, Kvaratskhelia.

Aston Villa’s predicted lineup is: Bizot; Cash, Lindelof, Pau Torres, Maatsen; Joao Gomes, Kamara; McGinn, Buendía, Garnacho; Abraham.

Looking Ahead

Wednesday’s match will offer an early test of how both clubs have adapted to a demanding off-season shaped by World Cup call-ups, transfer activity and squad changes, with the winner claiming the first trophy of the new European season.