Chelsea Vs Villarreal: UEFA Super Cup As 2021-22 Season Kick-Off

Chelsea will face Villarreal at Belfast's Windsor Park for the 46th edition of the UEFA Super Cup, the annual curtain-raiser contested by the holders of the two biggest European club competitions -- UEFA Champions League and Europa League.

On Thomas Tuchel's side are seven European titles, six English top-flight titles and eight FA Cups we have European champions, Chelsea.

On Unai Emery's corner are weighing in with a 1970 Spanish third-tier title and two UEFA Intertoto Cups we have UEFA Europa League title holders Villarreal.

Probable Line-up

Chelsea: Mendy; Zouma, Thiago Silva, Rüdiger; James, Kanté, Kovacic, Alonso; Havertz, Ziyech; Werner

Villarreal: Asenjo; Foyth, Albiol, Pau Torres, Pedraza; Trigueros, Capoue, Manu Trigueros, Manu Morlanes, Alberto Moreno; Gerard, Dia

What The Coaches Said:

Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea coach: "What nicer way to start the season than with a European final! I have huge respect for Villarreal and Unai Emery. I mean, they will have to call [the UEFA Europa League] the Unai Emery Trophy soon! He's incredible. I think they will approach this game feeling they have nothing to lose. We will do all we can to take the trophy, though."

Unai Emery, Villarreal coach: "I want to win the Super Cup because so far I haven't. I've been involved in two [in 2014 and 2015 with Sevilla] and lost both. It would be a great way to finish off last season. We could once again create history and achieve something wonderful ahead of the new campaign. The Super Cup will show what we are capable of against a top team like Chelsea, the reigning European champions and, for me, the best team in the world."

Pre-season friendlies

Chelsea: W6-1 Peterborough (17/07), W2-1 Bournemouth (27/07), W2-1 Arsenal (01/08), D2-2 Tottenham (04/08)

Villarreal: L2-3 Valencia (16/07), D2-2 Lyon (22/07), D0-0 Levante (29/07), L1-2 Marseille (31/07), L2-3 Leicester (04/08), D2-2 Leeds (07/08)