PSG easily beat Aston Villa to retain the European Super Cup

(Football result) - For the first time since 2017, PSG has managed to retain the UEFA Super Cup championship, thanks to a second-half strike by Désiré Doué that secured a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in Salzburg.

Nine of PSG's eleven starters were part of the Champions League final against Arsenal in May. However, since many stars only returned to training last week after the FIFA World Cup, the French team needs more time to regain their rhythm.

Nevertheless, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia didn't need much time to adjust. In the 20th minute, the Georgian winger cut inside from the flank and unleashed a powerful shot that beat Marco Bizot, putting PSG ahead. This was Kvaratskhelia's latest goal against English sides, having already scored four against them last season.

Under coach Luis Enrique, PSG extended their scoring streak to 29 consecutive matches across all competitions. The French side could have doubled their lead when Nuno Mendes broke through Aston Villa's defense, but his cross failed to find any teammate in the box.

Aston Villa nearly punished PSG immediately after. Seventeen-year-old Brian Madjo, making his debut for the club, headed wide from a John McGinn cross. Madjo then had two more clear chances as Aston Villa played better in the final minutes of the first half. The young striker headed over the bar from close range before beating Willian Pacho and firing a shot that hit the outside of the post.

However, Madjo finally found the net on his fourth opportunity. Just before halftime, he met McGinn's cross with a first-time volley that smashed into the roof of the net, making him the youngest goalscorer in UEFA Super Cup history.

After the break, Ousmane Dembélé was brought on to replace Maghnes Akliouche, who was making his PSG debut. Aston Villa created the first dangerous chance when McGinn's curling effort forced Matvéi Safónov into a save.

Nonetheless, PSG quickly regained the lead just after the 60th minute. Désiré Doué beat the offside trap and calmly finished past Bizot. Initially, the goal was disallowed for offside, but after a VAR review, the referee confirmed Doué was onside and awarded the goal.

Aston Villa had a chance to equalize soon after when George Hemmings, making only his second start for the club, fired a shot straight at Safónov.

Seventeen minutes before the end, Warren Zaïre-Emery made a brilliant block to deny a shot from Aston Villa's new signing João Gomes. Later, substitute Alysson also created a dangerous moment by cutting the ball across the six-yard box, but no Aston Villa player was able to get a touch.

PSG held on for a 2-1 victory, further cementing their status in the UEFA Super Cup. The defeat means coach Unai Emery still hasn't won the Super Cup in four attempts, while Luis Enrique has now won the tournament three times.

Notably, Enrique's last two titles have both come against Premier League teams. After beating Tottenham Hotspur a year ago, PSG are now unbeaten in their last 11 matches against Premier League sides, with 10 wins and 1 draw.

Watch live PSG vs Aston Villa where?

- Time: 2:00 AM on August 13.

- Venue: Red Bull Arena.

- Competition: European Super Cup.

- Live stream: TV360.

Team news PSG vs Aston Villa

• PSG:No absentees.
• Aston Villa:Full squad available.

Predicted lineups PSG vs Aston Villa

• PSG:Lucas Chevalier; Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
• Aston Villa:Emiliano Martinez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Ian Maatsen; Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn; Leon Bailey, Marco Asensio, Samuel Iling-Junior; Ollie Watkins.

Form and head-to-head record

• PSG's form:In their last 5 matches, PSG have 2 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses. They scored 5 goals and conceded 7.
• Aston Villa's form:In their last 5 matches, Aston Villa have 2 wins and 3 losses. They scored 10 goals and conceded 10.
• Head-to-head record:In their last 2 meetings, each side has won once.