Before the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, Aston Villa’s only previous Super Cup opponent had been Barcelona.
Aston Villa won their only earlier UEFA Super Cup in 1982, defeating Barcelona over two legs. That historic victory followed Villa’s European Cup triumph and remained the club’s sole appearance in the competition before returning as the 2025–26 Europa League winners.
The 2026 match was therefore Aston Villa’s second UEFA Super Cup participation. Their opponent was Paris Saint-Germain, who entered as Champions League holders and had won the 2025 Super Cup. Paris defeated Villa 2–1 in Salzburg.
The format has changed across the competition’s history. Earlier editions could be played over two legs, while the modern Super Cup is a single-match final at a selected venue. Aston Villa’s 1982 meeting with Barcelona belongs to the former era, which is why it is often remembered differently from the 2026 fixture.