PSG 2-1 Aston Villa: Super Cup winners

Paris Saint-Germain won the UEFA Super Cup for a second season in a row on Wednesday night with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring for the Champions League winners in the 20th minute with a blasted strike past Marcos Bizot in the Villa goal. But Europa League holders Villa’s 17-year-old striker Brian Madjo levelled the scores just before the half-time break.

Just after the hour mark, Desire Doue cut inside on his left foot and scored PSG’s second, a goal that ultimately won the match.

Kvaratskhelia’s reminder of world-class quality

The Athletic’s analysis asked whether the 2026 World Cup missed the game’s most talented star in Kvaratskhelia. Georgia have never qualified for a World Cup, leaving the winger with a far tougher route to the biggest stage. Here against Aston Villa, he provided a sensational reminder of just what North America missed.

The rolled-down socks, the beautifully balanced dribbling, the whistling ball-striking; when it comes to aesthetics, few players are more thrilling to watch in full flow. Behind that elegant exterior lies a cold ruthlessness, laid bare by his devastating opening goal.

Kvaratskhelia possesses a remarkable knack for dribbling at breathtaking pace while simultaneously keeping the ball almost tethered to his feet. It’s a trait that gives him that crucial split-second advantage. Reacting to his sharp infield dart, Villa goalkeeper Marcos Bizot shuffled across his goal, but before he could even set himself, Kvaratskhelia snapped a rasping effort inside the near post.

The Georgian is no luxury player, either. He works tirelessly off the ball too, hunting down Villa defenders as a crucial cog in PSG’s intense counterpress. With the benefit of a summer off compared to the game’s other superstars, expect another spectacular season from him.

A new star is born for Villa

Arguably the best centre-back duo in world football were roughed up by a 17-year-old on his competitive debut for Aston Villa. It is not hyperbole to say Brian Madjo could have scored four or five goals in the first half alone.

Two crosses from John McGinn initially were both headed wide by the teenage forward, having been unmarked. Yet, described as a “physical monster” by club sources, Madjo kept on going. Nothing fazed him — not the occasion or the missed chances.

Willian Pacho was soon tasked with marking the 6ft 4in striker after Madjo initially peeled onto the smaller centre-back Marquinhos from Bizot’s first long kick. Even with the greater might of Pacho, Madjo felt like a force of nature. He was secure in possession but could also take the defender away from the ball.

Madjo then curled an effort wide before, eye-catchingly, bustling into the box, shrugging Pacho aside and throwing him onto the floor, and then hitting the wrong side of the post. He is the youngest player to ever play in a Super Cup final at 17 years and 212 days old.

At the fifth time of asking, what felt like an inevitability arrived. Remember, all of this happened in the first half — a third exquisite McGinn cross found Madjo at the back post. This time, despite Pacho holding onto him, Madjo got round the back and volleyed into the roof of the net. Villa had equalised, and a player they had fought for so long to bring in provided an incredible moment.

What next for Aston Villa

Villa return to pre-season action on Saturday, August 15: Borussia Monchengladbach away, friendly, 2.30pm UK, 9.30am ET.