Madjo ends eight-month limbo with debut goal in Villa’s Super Cup defeat
Aston Villa fell 2-1 to Paris Saint-Germain in Salzburg, but 17-year-old Brian Madjo’s goal marked the end of a lengthy registration dispute.
Brian Madjo scored on his Aston Villa debut during the club’s 2-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg on Wednesday. The 17-year-old striker’s goal ended an eight-month wait for competitive action, resolving a registration dispute that had been stalled by FIFA until the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled in the club’s favour earlier this month.
Madjo, who joined Aston Villa from Metz in January for £10 million, had been barred from registering due to under-18 international transfer regulations. The club argued he was exempt because he was born in London, despite having previously represented Luxembourg and later accepting an England Under-17 call-up. The CAS ruling came just eight days before the match, allowing Madjo to be added to the travelling party after initially being excluded from the squad.
Manager Unai Emery started Madjo up front, resting key players Ollie Watkins, Emi Martinez, and Ezri Konsa following World Cup duty. Madjo equalised before the interval by volleying in a cross from John McGinn, holding off PSG captain Marquinhos. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had opened the scoring for PSG in the 20th minute, and Desire Doue secured the victory for the French side in the second half after a VAR check.
Emery emphasised the tactical discipline Madjo displayed, noting that the teenager’s performance extended beyond the goal. The manager stated that while pre-season form against Walsall and Real Sociedad showed promise, the focus now shifts to maintaining consistency and demanding standards as the Premier League season approaches. Madjo was replaced by Tammy Abraham with 18 minutes remaining.
The result leaves Aston Villa with squad considerations ahead of their Premier League opener against Brighton on 23 August. The club has already sold Morgan Rogers to Chelsea for a record £117 million and Youri Tielemans to Manchester United. With Arsenal reportedly increasing their pursuit of defender Ezri Konsa, Emery’s decision to rest him for the Super Cup may have implications for his future at the club, although keeper Emi Martinez is expected to remain despite interest from Juventus.
