Brian Madjo's Super Cup performance against PSG shows why Unai Emery believes new Aston Villa can keep growing

August 2026 · 6 minute read

This was the night that Aston Villa lost a game but found two players. Their 2-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup featured breakout performances by 17-year-old striker Brian Madjo striker on debut and 19-year-old winger George Hemmings.

Speaking to Aston Villa supporters enjoying Salzburg in the afternoon before the Super Cup, more than one had jokingly remarked that they could have done with seeing Unai Emery's squad list before setting out for Austria via planes, trains and automobiles.

While Paris Saint-Germain were practically at full strength, the Villa boss left Emiliano Martinez, Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins at home. Summer signing Johan Manzambi also sat the game out due to the knee injury picked up during the World Cup for Switzerland.

But the six thousand Villa supporters inside Stadion Salzburg were treated to a fearless display from the two young forwards. Hemmings showed energy and real quality, while Madjo broke Patrick Kluivert's 30-year record as the Super Cup's youngest goalscorer.

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Matty Cash and Tyrone Mings were full of praise for 17-year-old Brian Madjo

Indeed, Madjo more than caught the eye. On a pitch packed with world-class stars, he was the key figure for the first hour of the game. It is no exaggeration to claim that he could have scored four goals in the first half. The teenager was utterly unstoppable.

Nobody does this to Marquinhos and Willian Pacho. Only once since winning the first of their back-to-back Champions Leagues have PSG conceded more big chances when the pair have been starting - and that was in the wildest of 5-4 wins over Bayern Munich in April.

Madjo missed his first three big chances, enough to dent anyone's confidence on debut, but he just kept coming - scoring the fourth. The last man to have that many big chances in a Champions League game against PSG was Karim Benzema in the Bernabeu in 2019.

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Aston Villa's Brian Madjo in action against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup

Image: Aston Villa's Brian Madjo in action against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup

Who is Brian Madjo?

Born in Enfield, with Cameroon international Guy Madjo as his father, Madjo moved to Luxembourg as a child and has since represented their senior national team on three occasions. However, he has since switched his allegiance back to the country of his birth.

Now 17, the 6’4” striker signed for Aston Villa from Metz in January for a fee of £10m but FIFA blocked them from registering him due to his age, deeming it to be an international transfer until Villa’s appeal was upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport this summer.

Emery personally pushed for Madjo's acquisition from Metz in January and has since been impressed by his ability to take on information. Strong and quick, there is a maturity to his movement and positioning that is extraordinary for a player of his age.

He is still raw, for sure. But early in the second half, he held off Marquinhos and then bought a free-kick with quick feet. Moments later, he displayed some good hold-up play, laying the ball off and spinning in behind before unselfishly setting up John McGinn.

Brian Madjo's shot map in Aston Villa's UEFA Super Cup defeat to Paris Saint-Germain

Image: Brian Madjo's shot map in Aston Villa's UEFA Super Cup defeat to Paris Saint-Germain

No wonder the skipper had talked of a 'new Aston Villa' in the pre-match press conference with what seemed like genuine excitement. Because this does not look or feel like the end of their adventure under Emery. "Same manager, same methods, same desire."

Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans have gone, others may too. But the main man remains in situ. "We're seeing changes - certain players are leaving, certain coaches as well, and even members of the medical staff are leaving," said Emery this week. But not him.

Aston Villa's Brian Madjo proved to be a real handful for the Paris Saint-Germain defence

Image: Aston Villa's Brian Madjo proved to be a real handful for the Paris Saint-Germain defence

In fact, he seems as enthused as ever. New staff have already been added. Buoyed by the club's return to the Champions League, he has even been citing the example of Borussia Dortmund reaching the final in 2024 as evidence of what Villa could yet achieve.

Still they are navigating the financial rules that some would have limit their ambition. But Emery keeps building. "We are increasing our budget through good results on the pitch." As McGinn has pointed out, many thought the ceiling had been reached years ago.

Aston Villa brand is growing

Nielsen data shows the UEFA Europa League winners global fanbase has grown from 70.5 million in November 2023 to 97.8 million in May 2026, an increase of almost 39% across the 16 international markets measured.

That growing global appeal is being reflected in the club's commercial performance. The average value of an Aston Villa sponsorship deal for the 2026/27 season currently stands at over £7m - an increase of almost 70% from the 2024/25 season.

Andy Milnes, Market Lead for Sports, UK & Ireland at Nielsen Sports, said: "We are seeing substantial on and off pitch growth from clubs such as Aston Villa and Newcastle, signalling a broader shift as more Premier League sides aim to rival Europe's traditional commercial heavyweights.”

Not on the evidence of this effort, a contest in which Villa were outmatched on paper but not the pitch. With Emiliano Buendia impressing, they played through the reigning European champions as well as over them and PSG were at their limit to keep them at bay.

Just as was the case in the previous meeting between the teams in April of last year, when Emery's side gave them such a scare in the Champions League tie at Villa Park, PSG were hanging on at the end. Buendia headed wide in the 95th and final minute of the match.

Beraldo had come on for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Luis Enrique was throwing his arms in the air in exasperation. Villa, who had run onto the pitch for the warm-up to boos from the PSG fans and the strains of 'A Little Respect' by Erasure, showed again that they belong here.

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The Athletic's Jacob Tanswell discusses Ezri Konsa's future on the Transfer Talk Podcast

Emery is working on ways to keep Villa there and given the upheaval elsewhere at the Premier League's richest clubs, there is every chance that he could do it. He was a picture of magnanimity at the end, frustrated by the defeat but still encouraged too.

The team's supporters will feel the same way. Istanbul was incredible, Salzburg more serene. But they leave for home with heads held even higher, the name of Madjo on their lips and growing optimism that Emery's Villa story has many more chapters to come.

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