Paris Saint-Germain have begun the new season with another European trophy after defeating Aston Villa 2-1 in the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg, Austria, on Wednesday.
The Champions League holders took control through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia before Villa teenager Brian Madjo levelled on the stroke of half-time. Désiré Doué restored PSG’s lead after the break, with the goal eventually awarded following a VAR review.
The victory means PSG have successfully defended the Super Cup title they won a year ago against Tottenham Hotspur.
PSG fielded a strong starting lineup, with nine players from the side that defeated Arsenal to win the Champions League in May. Captain Marquinhos, Vitinha and Joao Neves were among those who started.
Villa, meanwhile, gave opportunities to several players, including new signing Joao Gomes and 17-year-old Madjo, while Boubacar Kamara returned to the starting lineup after recovering from a serious knee injury.
Villa initially threatened to take the lead, with Kamara testing PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov from distance in the 13th minute.
PSG soon responded and opened the scoring seven minutes later. Kvaratskhelia collected the ball on the left, cut inside and unleashed a powerful strike that beat Marco Bizot at the near post.
The Georgian winger continued to trouble Villa’s defence and almost created a second goal when he released Nuno Mendes, whose low cross narrowly missed PSG’s advancing attackers.
Villa refused to fold and came close to an equaliser when Madjo headed a John McGinn delivery just wide.
The teenager eventually found the breakthrough in stoppage time at the end of the first half. McGinn again supplied the ball, allowing Madjo to fire a left-footed shot into the roof of the PSG net.
PSG manager Luis Enrique introduced Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé at the interval as his side looked to regain control.
Villa continued to pose a threat after the restart, with McGinn forcing Safonov into another save with a curling effort.
PSG regained the advantage in the 61st minute through Doué.
The winger appeared to have been caught offside after racing into the box and finding the net, but VAR overturned the assistant referee’s decision after determining that Villa defender Matty Cash had played him onside.
Villa immediately searched for another equaliser, with 19-year-old George Hemmings testing Safonov, but the PSG goalkeeper held firm.
Warren Zaïre-Emery also threw himself in front of an effort from Gomes as Villa continued to push forward.
With 15 minutes remaining, Enrique brought on Fabian Ruiz to strengthen PSG’s midfield and protect the advantage.
Villa’s clearest late opportunity fell to Tammy Abraham, who narrowly failed to connect with Alysson’s cut-back inside the six-yard box.
PSG held on through the closing stages to secure another European honour and make a winning start to their campaign.
The French champions will now turn their attention to defending their domestic title while pursuing an even bigger prize: a third consecutive Champions League crown.
