Ahead of the UEFA Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa (tonight at 9 PM, broadcast on Canal+), John McGinn—the English club’s 31-year-old midfielder and captain—has set his sights high for the 2026/27 season. Speaking at a press conference, the Scot emphasized continuity, hunger, and the Villans’ knack for defying the odds.
McGinn: “We’ve consistently competed with the best”
“We’re at much the same level as in recent seasons,” he stated. “I think we’ve consistently competed with the best in England. I think we’ve consistently competed with the best in Europe, regardless of the competition.”
This confidence isn’t just captain’s talk. Aston Villa has established itself as a team capable of challenging the English and European heavyweights over the long haul. For Paris Saint-Germain, the Super Cup won’t simply be a matter of asserting their status as the superior side on paper; Paris will need to dictate the tempo and prevent their opponents from turning the match into a tight, defensive affair.
McGinn: “The same manager, the same methods”
“We’ll face challenges—there are a lot of changes—but when you look at other clubs in England, there’s a lot of turnover there too: managers changing, players changing. But what we’ve always had is a core group: the same manager, the same methods, and the same drive to achieve more.”
Here, McGinn identifies Aston Villa’s key asset: continuity. In an era of constant squad turnover, maintaining a stable foundation and deeply ingrained principles can help bridge the gap against opponents boasting superior individual talent. PSG must be wary of a team whose collective cohesion allows them to hit the ground running, despite changes occurring around that core group.
McGinn: “A lot of people thought we’d hit our ceiling two seasons ago”
“A lot of people thought we’d hit our ceiling two seasons ago, and we proved them wrong. We still have the same hunger and desire to achieve more, and as long as we maintain that hunger and drive, Aston Villa fans can expect the very best from us.”
The captain is also tapping into a powerful psychological driver: that of a team consistently underestimated and determined to push its limits. Against PSG—the Super Cup favorites—Aston Villa can once again lean into this underdog role. It is up to the Parisians to manage their status and avoid fueling McGinn’s conviction with a shaky start to the match.
