Aston Villa last appeared in the UEFA Super Cup before 2026 in 1982.
Villa qualified for that earlier appearance after winning the European Cup. In 2026, the club returned to the competition after winning the UEFA Europa League, giving it two Super Cup participations separated by 44 years.
The club’s 2026 campaign ended in a 2–1 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in Salzburg. Brian Madjo scored Villa’s only goal, while Paris received goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué.
This history explains why the 2026 final was more than a meeting between current champions. Aston Villa was attempting to add a second Super Cup title to its 1982 success, while Paris was trying to defend the trophy it had won in 2025.