Saint-Germain retains UEFA Super Cup title with 2-1 win over Aston Villa

Paris Saint-Germain retained their UEFA Super Cup title with a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in Salzburg on Wednesday, thanks to goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desiré Doué, securing the trophy for the French club for the second time, having won it for the first time last year.

PSG, winners of the Champions League in the past two seasons, took the lead in the 20th minute through a brilliant strike from Kvaratskhelia, before Brian Mawuema equalized for Aston Villa in the final moments of the first half.

Doué restored PSG’s lead in the 61st minute, while Aston Villa, Europa League champions, failed to find an equalizer again in a match refereed by Somali official Omar Abdulrahman Al-Ghassani, who was unable to participate in the World Cup after being denied entry to the United States.

Although many of his squad members had recently returned from the World Cup, PSG coach Luis Enrique fielded a strong lineup featuring nine starters from the team that won the Champions League final.

PSG needed some time to impose their rhythm, but once they did, Kvaratskhelia troubled the Aston Villa defense with his dribbling on several occasions before giving his side the lead.

Aston Villa goalkeeper Marco Bizot saved a shot from Doué, but moments later, Doué played the ball into Kvaratskhelia inside the penalty area. The Georgian winger beat defender Matty Cash before firing a shot that could not be saved, finding the back of the net.

Mawuema, making his debut for Aston Villa, had several chances to equalize but headed two efforts wide, while another attempt hit the outside of the post.

Mawuema, who joined Aston Villa from Metz in January and only received his playing registration last week after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the club’s appeal against a decision by FIFA, became the youngest player to score in UEFA Super Cup history.

Luis Enrique brought on new signing Magnin Akliouch for Ousmane Dembélé at the start of the second half, but Aston Villa created the first chance when Matviy Savinov cleared a McGinn shot from the edge of the penalty area.

The winning goal came from Doué, who ran onto a through ball from Dembélé and curled a shot into the far corner. Although an offside flag was raised, the goal was allowed to stand after review by the Video Assistant Referee.

Despite Aston Villa dominating possession in the final minutes, PSG delivered a strong defensive performance to join Milan and Real Madrid as only three clubs to have retained the UEFA Super Cup title.

With this victory, Luis Enrique claimed his 13th trophy since taking charge of PSG in 2023, while Unai Emery, Aston Villa’s manager, lost all four of his UEFA Super Cup matches.

PSG had won last year’s UEFA Super Cup against Tottenham Hotspur on penalties and will defend their French Super Cup title when they face Lens next Sunday.