Emiliano Buendia says Aston Villa have every reason to be proud of their performance after the English club pushed Europe’s best team before losing to Paris Saint-Germain in the European Super Cup.
Aston Villa gave PSG a serious contest in the match for the trophy, but ultimately fell short against the French side. Despite the defeat, Buendia said the players could take satisfaction from the way they performed against such highly regarded opposition.
The Aston Villa midfielder’s message was one of pride rather than disappointment alone. “We are proud of ourselves,” Buendia said, reflecting the team’s belief that their display deserved recognition even though it did not end with victory.
Villa’s result means Paris Saint-Germain claimed the European Super Cup, while the English side were left to assess a performance that had tested the strongest club in Europe. The loss was therefore significant, but the manner of the contest offered Aston Villa encouragement as they prepare for the start of the new domestic campaign.
The match arrived shortly before the beginning of the English league season. The new English championship campaign is due to start at the end of next week, with the French league also scheduled to begin at the same time as the English Premier League.
That timing leaves both clubs with little opportunity to dwell on the result. Aston Villa must now turn their attention to the opening of the English season, while PSG will also move quickly from the European Super Cup into domestic competition in France.
For Buendia and his team-mates, the defeat does not erase the significance of having competed closely with PSG. Aston Villa were unable to secure the trophy, but their performance allowed them to challenge the club regarded as the best in Europe.
The European Super Cup therefore ended in disappointment for the English side, yet Buendia’s comments underlined the positive view within the Aston Villa camp. The players may have lost the match, but they believe the performance demonstrated that they could stand up to the highest level of European opposition.
With the new season approaching, that sense of confidence will be important for Aston Villa. Their next domestic campaign will begin at the end of the following week, while France’s championship will start at the same time as the English Premier League.
The immediate fact remains that PSG won and Aston Villa lost. However, Buendia’s assessment focused on the quality and character shown by the English club during the contest. His conclusion was clear: despite missing out on the European Super Cup, Aston Villa had produced a display of which they could be proud.