Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain rubber-stamped their status as Europe’s top team as they beat Aston Villa 2-1 in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.
Result
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue netted either side of a debut goal for Villa teenager Brian Madjo in Salzburg as PSG defended the title they first won 12 months ago on penalties against another Premier League side, Tottenham Hotspur. PSG broke the deadlock as Kvaratskhelia cut in from the left on 20 minutes and scored with a piledriver at the near post. But Villa withstood the flurry and should have been level just prior to the half-hour when Madjo glanced wide a John McGinn cross.
Key Moments
However, Madjo got his just reward as Scottish veteran McGinn picked him out again in the box in the 45th minute and this time he lashed the ball with his left boot into the roof of the PSG net. Emery responded to the swing in fortunes by sending on Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele for new PSG recruit Maghnes Akliouche at half-time. VAR intervened, however, and found that Villa right-back Matty Cash on the far side of the pitch was playing the PSG winger onside and awarded the goal to Doue’s surprise and delight. Luis Enrique sent on World Cup winner Fabian Ruiz with a quarter of an hour remaining to help PSG shore up the centre of the park as Villa hunted a leveller.
