Aston Villa will be without three key first-team players, including reported Arsenal target Ezri Konsa, when they face Paris Saint-Germain in a high-profile pre-season meeting at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg on Wednesday night. The fixture pits last season's Europa League winners against their Champions League counterparts, but Villa's preparations have been disrupted by a trio of notable absences.
Alongside Konsa, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and forward Ollie Watkins are also missing from Unai Emery's squad for the encounter. All three have attracted transfer speculation this summer, with Konsa in particular drawing interest from Arsenal as manager Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his defensive options before the transfer window shuts.
However, Emery moved quickly to dismiss any suggestion that the absences were connected to ongoing transfer talk, instead pointing to a scheduled rest period following an extended campaign that included international commitments.
"They are not here because they finished the season on July 19 and I gave them four weeks to rest and it is completely necessary," Emery explained during his pre-match press conference.
The Spanish coach acknowledged that having his key personnel available could have altered Villa's approach to the fixture, but suggested PSG might find themselves in a similar predicament given the demands of the recent international calendar.
"Of course, if they were here, maybe we will have many more chances, but at the same time, I think PSG will be in same situation as us," he said.
With his squad missing several senior figures, Emery confirmed that Villa would field a mixture of experienced professionals and academy prospects against the French champions, mirroring the approach adopted at the start of pre-season training four weeks ago.
"We will prepare the game with players, even some young players, like we started with four weeks ago," Emery added, while conceding that PSG would enter the contest as clear favourites.
Konsa's situation remains one to watch as the transfer deadline approaches. The centre-back, who represented England at the World Cup and progressed with the Three Lions to the third-place play-off, has become a genuine target for Arsenal as they seek defensive reinforcements. Arteta's need for cover has been sharpened by injury concerns surrounding William Saliba and Jurrien Timber, both of whom are currently sidelined.
Interestingly, Arsenal have also been credited with interest in Tottenham captain Cristian Romero, though that pursuit appears unlikely to materialise. The Argentine defender is instead expected to complete a move to Atletico Madrid, with Spurs reportedly unwilling to sanction a sale to their fierce north London rivals under any circumstances.
When asked directly about the club's transfer business and the search for defensive reinforcements, Arteta confirmed that Arsenal remain active in the market.
"Well that's what we're trying to do," he told reporters. "If we have the right player in the market to make us much better, we are very looking forward to that."
For now, attention turns to Salzburg, where Villa will attempt to test themselves against European heavyweights PSG despite missing three of their most influential performers. The outcome may offer few definitive conclusions given the circumstances, but it represents another step in Emery's preparations for the season ahead, regardless of how the transfer saga surrounding Konsa eventually unfolds.
Based on reporting from Standard (Football).