Fearless Madjo's debut shines despite Villa's Super Cup loss
Seventeen‑year‑old Brian Madjo finally stepped onto the pitch for Aston Villa after an eight‑month registration saga, scoring the equaliser in a 2‑1 defeat to Paris St-Germain at the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg on Wednesday.
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. This video cannot be played.
Villa's Super Cup setback
Aston Villa fell 2‑1 to Paris St-Germain (St-Germain) in the UEFA Super Cup held at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg on Wednesday. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring for PSG before Madjo levelled, and Desire Doue secured the winner after a VAR check. The loss came despite Villa’s early pressure and a strong showing from the teenage striker.
Madjo's long‑awaited debut
Villa were barred from registering Madjo by FIFA until an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) succeeded at the start of the month, ending a 212‑day wait since his £10m arrival from Metz in January. The club argued that, although born in London, Madjo’s three caps for Luxembourg should not prevent an exemption, citing EU transfer rules that no longer apply to the UK.
Born in London, Brian Madjo is an England Under‑17 international who has four goals in nine appearances, including a debut goal against Venezuela. He previously represented Luxembourg in friendlies before accepting the England call‑up last year. The teenager stands 6ft 4in and was described as a “bruising forward” by his manager.
In Salzburg, Madjo scored the equaliser by volleying John McGinn’s cross after holding off Willian Pacho. Earlier he headed a free‑kick from three yards over the bar and forced defender Marquinhos into a defensive scramble. His contribution cancelled out PSG’s opener and demonstrated his physical presence against a side that had won back‑to‑back Champions Leagues.
Implications for the Premier League start
“He played because he was showing us his capacity to work and be demanding,” said manager Unai Emery. “It is not just about scoring goals, it’s about defending and how he has the commitment and discipline tactically.”
Former Villa striker Dion Dublin added, “I saw Brian Madjo, he had his hands on his head for a couple of seconds and then he got into another scoring position. He was brave enough to get back into that scoring position and at 17, he seems to be doing it easily.”
Villa have been linked with Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson as a permanent striker, but Madjo’s availability gives Emery a different option ahead of the Premier League opener against Brighton on 23 August. The club also sold Morgan Rogers for a record £117m to Chelsea and Youri Tielemans to Manchester United, while defender Ezri Konsa’s future remains uncertain. Keeper Emiliano Martinez will stay despite Juventus interest, and Emery stressed the need to manage player fitness and risk ahead of the new season.