Meet Brian Madjo, the 17-year-old Aston Villa star who stunned PSG

Aston Villa may have lost the UEFA Super Cup to Paris Saint-Germain, but the night in Udine belonged in part to a teenager who gave the European champions’ defence a torrid evening.

Brian Madjo, just 17, was one of Villa’s standout performers in Wednesday’s 2-1 defeat, scoring the club’s only goal and repeatedly unsettling a PSG backline packed with international experience.

Unai Emery’s decision to trust the youngster against the two-time Champions League holders represented a significant show of faith. Madjo responded by demonstrating why Aston Villa invested £10 million in him in January.

Standing at 6ft 4in, the centre-forward combined physical strength with pace and aggression throughout his 72 minutes on the pitch. He competed fearlessly against PSG’s formidable defenders, winning aerial duels and using his power to create openings.

His performance drew comparisons with Didier Drogba and Romelu Lukaku, particularly because of the way he used his frame to bully defenders while still possessing enough speed to threaten them in behind.

Youngest Super Cup scorer

Madjo’s biggest moment arrived shortly before half-time.

John McGinn sent a difficult cross towards the back post and the teenager got ahead of Willian Pacho before producing a composed finish.

The goal made Madjo the youngest player to score in UEFA Super Cup history, aged 17 years and 212 days, surpassing Patrick Kluivert’s previous record set in 1996.

It was not his only threatening moment.

Earlier, Madjo had already left Pacho on the ground during a challenge inside the penalty area before shooting directly at Matvey Safonov. He later struck the post as Villa repeatedly found ways to expose the PSG defence.

His finishing was not perfect, however, with the teenager also wasting a couple of opportunities. He missed a clear chance against Pacho and failed to convert a free header from another McGinn cross.

Those moments highlighted the rawness that remains in his game, but Emery was pleased with his overall contribution.

“These experiences and having days like today are very important,” Emery said of Madjo and fellow youngster George Hemmings. “They showed how they are learning after their hard work. This is the way.”

An unusual route to the top

Madjo’s rise has followed an unconventional path.

Born in England in January 2009 to Cameroonian parents, he is the son of former forward Guy Madjo, who spent part of his playing career in English football.

Brian, however, developed as a footballer in Luxembourg, where he began his journey with Marisca Mersch before joining RU Luxembourg.

His development in the country also shaped his international career. Madjo represented Luxembourg’s senior national team in March last year before later accepting an England Under-17 call-up in September.

His performances eventually attracted the attention of French club Metz, who signed him in 2023.

After spending two years developing in the academy, Madjo made his Ligue 1 debut in August 2025, becoming Metz’s youngest-ever player to feature in France’s top flight.

Why Aston Villa paid £10m

Villa completed a reported £10 million move for Madjo in January this year, despite the complexities surrounding his registration.

Because of his age and development in Luxembourg, the teenager initially faced difficulties being registered to play for the English club. Aston Villa eventually took the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to secure his registration.

That decision is already beginning to look inspired.

Madjo entered the new season in impressive form after scoring four goals during pre-season, but his display against PSG provided the clearest indication yet of his potential.

Villa are expected to rely on him during a demanding campaign involving the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cup competitions.

He will compete with Tammy Abraham for the role of immediate backup to Ollie Watkins, but his Super Cup performance could force Emery to give the teenager a greater role than initially anticipated.

Villa may have found a star

For Aston Villa, the defeat to PSG denied them a major trophy, but Madjo’s emergence offered a significant consolation.

At 17, he has already scored against one of Europe’s strongest teams and broken a record that had stood for three decades.

There is still plenty for him to learn, particularly in his decision-making and finishing, but the ingredients are clear.

Powerful, quick and fearless, Madjo has now shown that he can trouble defenders at the highest level.

Aston Villa’s £10 million investment is beginning to look less like a gamble and more like the first step towards discovering their next attacking star.