Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has confirmed Ezri Konsa will miss the UEFA Super Cup clash against Paris Saint-Germain, amid links to Arsenal.
Villa take on PSG in a meeting between last season’s Europa League and Champions League winners at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg on Wednesday night.
LIVE BLOG: All the latest transfer news and rumours
Though, Villa’s hopes of lifting a second European trophy in the space of three months have been hit as Konsa is unavailable for selection along with Emiliano Martinez and Ollie Watkins.
While all three players have been linked with moves away from Villa Park this summer, Emery insists the trio’s absences are not transfer related, rather being given extra time off following the World Cup.
“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 revealed during the pre-match press conference.
“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.
“We will prepare the game with players, even some young players, like we started with four weeks ago. Of course they are favourites.”
Konsa is of interest to Arsenal as Mikel Arteta hopes to sign defensive cover before the transfer window closes, particularly with William Saliba and Jurrien Timber currently sidelined.
Tottenham captain Cristian Romero has also been linked as a surprise target, but the Argentine is expected to join Atletico Madrid instead as Spurs are not willing to do business with their north London rivals.
Discussing Arsenal’s transfer plans following the 3-2 pre-season friendly defeat to Borussia Dortmund at the weekend, Arteta said fans can expect further signings this summer
"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."
