Daijiworld Media Network – Salzburg
Salzburg, Aug 13: Paris Saint-Germain began their 2026/27 campaign with European silverware after defeating Aston Villa 2-1 in a fiercely contested UEFA Super Cup encounter at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia put PSG ahead in the 20th minute before 17-year-old Brian Madjo marked his professional debut with a historic equaliser for Villa. Desire Doue then restored PSG's advantage, with his decisive finish eventually settling the contest.
PSG took control early when Kvaratskhelia cut in from the left and produced a composed finish that wrong-footed Aston Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot.
Villa responded through Madjo, who shrugged off Willian Pacho before volleying past the PSG goalkeeper to level the score. The goal made the teenager the youngest player to score in UEFA Super Cup history.
Madjo continued to threaten the PSG defence after his equaliser, with three further chances narrowly missing the target. His performance stood out as Villa's younger players stepped up in the absence of Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa and Emiliano Martinez following their extended post-World Cup breaks.
Nineteen-year-old George Hemmings also impressed against the star-studded European champions. After Doue restored PSG's lead, Hemmings came close to an immediate response, but Matvey Safonov made an important save to deny him.
Villa continued to push for an equaliser in the closing stages but could not find a way through, allowing PSG to secure another European trophy at the start of the new campaign.
The result revived memories of the teams' previous Champions League meeting in 2025, when they were involved in a nine-goal thriller.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery praised his players despite the defeat, highlighting their competitiveness and response throughout the 90 minutes.
“With a loss, you can never feel happy but how we compete, how the players respond on the field for 90 minutes. And our chances to score, we must feel really very proud of what we have done today,” Emery said.