PSG retain the UEFA Super Cup
PSG 2 - 1 Aston Villa
Paris St-Germain retained the Super Cup with a narrow victory over a spirited Aston Villa to make it back-to-back triumphs in the competition.
Author | Peter Grainger
Stadium | Red Bull Arena Salzburg
Desire Doue's 62nd-minute winner, after a VAR check for offside, settled the contest in Salzburg and secured another trophy for the Champions League holders.
PSG had taken the lead in the 20th minute when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia thumped a fine finish into the net, but Villa hit back through Brian Madjo just before half-time.
A new hero for Villa
The 17-year-old striker marked his competitive debut in memorable fashion, becoming the youngest player to score in the Super Cup when he volleyed John McGinn's cross in at the back post.
Madjo had already passed up two good opportunities, shooting wide before heading over, but made no mistake with his third chance to cap an eight-month battle to be allowed to play.
The England Under-17 international joined Villa from Metz for £10m in January but was initially banned from being registered by Fifa. Villa eventually won an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport at the start of August, clearing the way for Madjo to feature in competitive fixtures.
He posed a constant physical threat to the PSG defence, although his goal ultimately proved insufficient as the French champions retained the trophy they won for the first time last year after beating Tottenham on penalties.
Villa, appearing in the Super Cup after winning the Europa League in May, had opportunities to take the game further, with PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov required to make several assured saves.
The defeat, however, means Unai Emery has now lost all four of his appearances in the competition, having also fallen short with Sevilla and Villarreal.
There was also a landmark moment for the referee. Somalia's Omar Artan became the first non-European official to take charge of the Super Cup, having previously been denied entry to the United States for this summer's World Cup.
