Four UEFA Super Cup finals played, lost by Unai Emery

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Unai Emery’s dominance of the UEFA Europa League has been accompanied by an equally striking struggle in the UEFA Super Cup, with his latest defeat against Paris Saint-Germain extending a perfect losing record in the competition.

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Emery’s Aston Villa were beaten 2-1 by PSG in Salzburg on Wednesday, despite Brian Madjo’s historic equaliser, leaving the Spanish manager with four defeats from four UEFA Super Cup appearances.n

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The latest setback came just months after Emery guided Villa to their first major European trophy since 1982, beating Freiburg 3-0 in the Europa League final to claim a record-extending fifth Europa League title.n

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UEFA describes Emery as the competition’s most successful manager, having won it three times with Sevilla, once with Villarreal and now with Villa.

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Yet the Super Cup has repeatedly proved to be his stumbling block.

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His first appearance came in 2014, when Sevilla were beaten 2-0 by Real Madrid.

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A year later, Sevilla suffered another defeat, losing 5-4 to Barcelona after extra time in one of the competition’s most memorable finals.

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UEFA’s official records confirm both results.

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Emery returned to the competition in 2021 with Villarreal after winning the Europa League. His side drew 1-1 with Chelsea after extra time before losing 6-5 on penalties.

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Five years later, his fourth opportunity ended in another defeat.

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PSG took the lead before Villa teenager Madjo levelled shortly before half-time, becoming the youngest scorer in Super Cup history.

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Désiré Doué then restored PSG’s lead after the break to secure another European trophy for the French club.

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The contrast with Emery’s Europa League record could hardly be sharper.

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His five triumphs came in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2021 and 2026, while he has also reached six finals in the competition.

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For Villa, however, the defeat does not erase what Emery has achieved. His Europa League success against Freiburg ended the club’s 30-year wait for silverware and restored its status as a major force in European football.

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But for Emery personally, the Super Cup remains the one European trophy occasion that continues to elude him — four appearances, four defeats.

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FULL LIST: Emery’s four Super Cup defeats

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2014: Real Madrid 2-0 Sevilla

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2015: Barcelona 5-4 Sevilla (after extra time)

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2021: Chelsea 1-1 Villarreal (Chelsea won 6-5 on penalties)

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2026: PSG 2-1 Aston Villa

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