Emery chases first Super Cup - but does it matter?

Aston Villa are preparing for their first Super Cup appearance in more than four decades. The club last played in the competition in 1982, but according to BBC Sport, their manager Unai Emery has far more recent experience of the match.

Emery, with his recent experience of this fixture, knows what it takes to succeed on this stage. Villa, by contrast, are entering relatively unfamiliar territory, though they will hope that their manager's pedigree can make the difference.

The question, though, is whether this Super Cup really matters in the broader context of the season. For Villa, it represents a chance to win a major trophy and test themselves against top European opposition. For Emery, it is another opportunity to add to his reputation as a manager who thrives in knockout football.

Whatever the answer, Villa's return to the competition is a notable milestone. With Emery in charge, they will feel they have every chance of ending their long wait for a Super Cup victory.