PSG Beat Aston Villa 2-1 to Retain UEFA Super Cup

Paris Saint-Germain retained the UEFA Super Cup with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in Salzburg on Wednesday, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue scoring either side of Brian Madjo’s debut goal for the Premier League side.

The result gave the Champions League winners another European trophy before the start of the domestic season. PSG had won the Super Cup for the first time 12 months earlier, on penalties against Tottenham Hotspur, and successfully defended the title against another Premier League opponent.

Villa, the Europa League winners, competed strongly and were level at half-time after 17-year-old Madjo struck in the 45th minute. But Doue’s second-half effort, initially ruled out by the assistant referee before VAR intervention, proved decisive.

Kvaratskhelia opens the scoring as Villa respond

Both teams named relatively strong line-ups ahead of their respective domestic campaigns. PSG’s starting XI included nine players who lifted the Champions League trophy against Arsenal in May, among them Vitinha, Joao Neves and captain Marquinhos.

Villa rested Ezri Konsa, Emi Martinez and Ollie Watkins, while Unai Emery handed debuts to midfielder Joao Gomes and striker Madjo. Boubacar Kamara also started for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury in January.

PSG took the lead in the 20th minute when Kvaratskhelia cut inside from the left and fired a powerful shot in at the near post. The Georgian then continued to cause problems for Villa, releasing Nuno Mendes soon afterwards, although the left-back’s cut-back evaded PSG’s arriving players.

Villa absorbed that spell of pressure and created opportunities of their own. Madjo glanced a John McGinn cross wide shortly before the half-hour mark, and the teenager had further chances as Villa looked to reach the interval on level terms.

He eventually found the breakthrough just before the break. McGinn again picked out Madjo in the area in the 45th minute, and the 17-year-old struck with his left foot into the roof of the PSG net to make it 1-1.

PSG made a change at half-time, with Ousmane Dembele replacing new recruit Maghnes Akliouche. Villa continued positively after the restart, with Madjo and McGinn combining again before the latter forced Safonov to push away his curling effort.

VAR confirms Doue winner for PSG

PSG regained the lead in the 61st minute through Doue. The France international raced down the right and bent the ball into the Villa net, but the assistant referee initially raised the flag. VAR reviewed the phase and determined that Villa right-back Matty Cash, on the far side of the pitch, had played Doue onside. The goal was awarded.

Luis Enrique introduced Fabian Ruiz with around 15 minutes remaining as PSG sought to protect their advantage in midfield. Villa pressed for an equaliser and came closest inside the final 10 minutes, when Tammy Abraham was unable to reach Alysson’s cut-back inside the six-yard box.

PSG held on to begin their new season with silverware. Doue said winning the trophy was “amazing”, while Villa’s Emiliano Buendia said his side could be proud of their performance despite the defeat.

For PSG, the win reinforced the club’s status after its Champions League success and delivered a second straight UEFA Super Cup. Luis Enrique said the objective is to remain ambitious and try to win again as the French champions pursue another major European campaign.