Paris Saint-Germain have strengthened their status as Europe’s leading club after beating Aston Villa 2-1 to win the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué scored for the Champions League holders, while 17-year-old Brian Madjo netted his first goal for Villa on his senior debut.
The victory gives PSG back-to-back Super Cup titles after they beat Tottenham Hotspur in the competition last year.
The French champions started strongly, with nine players from the side that lifted the Champions League trophy against Arsenal in May included in Luis Enrique’s starting XI.
Villa also fielded a competitive team, although manager Unai Emery rested World Cup campaigners Ezri Konsa, Emiliano Martínez and Ollie Watkins. New signing João Gomes and teenager Madjo were handed their debuts.
Villa midfielder Boubacar Kamara, returning from a serious knee injury, came closest to opening the scoring early on when his 13th-minute effort from distance narrowly missed.
PSG responded and took the lead in the 20th minute.
Kvaratskhelia collected the ball on the left, cut inside and unleashed a powerful shot past Marco Bizot at the near post.
Villa continued to threaten and Madjo missed several opportunities before finally finding the net just before half-time.
John McGinn picked out the teenager inside the box, and Madjo fired his left-footed effort into the roof of the PSG goal to make it 1-1.
PSG introduced Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé at the break as they looked to regain control.
The decisive moment came in the 61st minute when Doué raced into the Villa area and curled the ball into the net.
The assistant referee initially ruled the goal out for offside, but VAR overturned the decision after determining that Matty Cash was playing Doué onside.
Villa pushed for an equaliser, but PSG goalkeeper Matvey Safonov made crucial saves to preserve his side’s lead.
Tammy Abraham came close late on but could not reach Alysson’s cut-back inside the six-yard box.
PSG held on to claim another European trophy and make a winning start to their new campaign.
The victory also underlines the club’s ambition to retain the Champions League title and become the first team to win Europe’s premier club competition three years in a row.
