Paris St-Germain name Hakimi and Kvaratskhelia in European Super Cup XI as Dembele starts on bench

Paris St-Germain have named Achraf Hakimi and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in their starting line-up for the European Super Cup final against Aston Villa, with Ousmane Dembele among the substitutes.

The match will begin at 22:00 local time at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, Austria.

Luis Enrique has also opted to leave Fabian Ruiz and Bradley Barcola on the bench as the Champions League holders face the Europa League winners.

Paris St-Germain’s line-up is:

Goalkeeper: Matvey Safonov

Defenders: Nuno Mendes, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Achraf Hakimi

Midfielders: Joao Neves, Vitinha, Warren Zaire-Emery

Forwards: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Desire Doue, Maghnes Akliouche

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery will be without Emiliano Martinez, Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins. The trio are unavailable after being given four weeks’ leave following the end of the World Cup.

Villa will start with:

Goalkeeper: Marco Bizot

Defenders: Matty Cash, Victor Lindelof, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen

Midfielders: John McGinn, Joao Gomes, Boubacar Kamara, George Hemmings

Forwards: Brian Madjo, Emiliano Buendia

John McGinn captains the Aston Villa side as they look to add the European Super Cup to the Europa League trophy they won last season.

Paris St-Germain secured the Champions League for a second successive season by beating Arsenal on penalties in the final. Aston Villa claimed the Europa League after a 3-0 victory over German club Freiburg in their final.

The fixture will be refereed by Somali official Omar Artan, who is taking charge of the European Super Cup for the first time in history. Artan was omitted from the World Cup after he was unable to obtain a visa to enter the United States.

Paris St-Germain’s decision to begin with Dembele, Ruiz and Barcola among the substitutes represents a notable selection call from Luis Enrique. Dembele, in particular, is absent from the starting attack despite the club’s status as reigning European champions.

Villa, meanwhile, have had to adjust their team because of the absence of three established players. Martinez, Konsa and Watkins will not feature after their post-World Cup break, leaving Bizot to start in goal and a reshaped defensive and attacking unit to face the French side.

The final brings together the winners of Europe’s two leading club competitions, with Paris St-Germain seeking to continue their dominance after back-to-back Champions League triumphs and Aston Villa competing in the showpiece after their comprehensive win against Freiburg.