PSG Outclass Aston Villa to Start New Season With UEFA Super Cup Title

Paris Saint-Germain opened the new campaign with a 2-1 win over Aston Villa in Salzburg, becoming the first club since 2017 to win the UEFA Super Cup in back-to-back years. After conceding the equalizer, Desire Doue made the difference with a great strike, giving PSG a defining edge over Villa.

PSG had nine of the players who started the Champions League final against Arsenal in May in their lineup again. However, a number of their World Cup players had only returned to training the previous week, which meant the team was still finding its best form.

Kvaratskhelia was already up to speed, though. The Georgian forward broke the deadlock in the 20th minute after moving inside from the flank and sending a powerful shot past Marco Bizot. The goal added to his strong record against English opposition, having scored four times against English clubs last season.

PSG have now scored in 29 straight competitive matches. They came close to adding another goal when Nuno Mendes got behind the Villa defence, but his low pass across the box somehow missed all four PSG players waiting for it.

Aston Villa almost made them pay for that miss shortly after. Seventeen-year-old Brian Madjo, making his Villa debut, headed just wide from John McGinn’s cross. The youngster had already made history by becoming the youngest player to start a UEFA Super Cup final.

Madjo then came close twice more as Villa finished the first half strongly. He headed over from close range before hitting the outside of the post after getting past Willian Pacho.

PSG then started the second half with strong intensity, as Aston Villa failed to counter their early attacks. They regained the lead shortly after the hour mark when Desire Doue beat the offside trap and calmly finished past Marco Bizot. The goal was first ruled out for offside, but VAR overturned the decision and PSG were given the lead.

Warren Zaire-Emery then made an important block to stop Villa debutant Joao Gomes from scoring with 17 minutes left on the clock. Substitute Alysson also came close to creating another chance when he sent a dangerous ball across the six-yard box, but no Villa player managed to get a touch.

PSG then managed to protect their lead until the final whistle, as their defense remained solid at the back. The result means their former manager Unai Emery is still without a Super Cup title after four attempts, while Luis Enrique has now won the competition three times.