'Ready to go to war' - Villa teen Madjo took fight to PSG

After eight months in limbo, the outcome was worth the wait for Brian Madjo. Aston Villa may have lost the Uefa Super Cup 2-1 to Paris St-Germain in Salzburg on Wednesday but the striker made an impressive impact after finally getting the chance to showcase his talent. He was unleashed against PSG - and quickly repaid the faith shown by boss Unai Emery. With Ollie Watkins rested after World Cup duty and Tammy Abraham left on the bench, the youngster was given the responsibility up front by Emery having scored four pre-season goals. His strike at the Red Bull Arena, holding off Ecuador international Willian Pacho to volley in John McGinn's cross, was arguably the hardest chance of the trio he had in a first half full of promise. "When you see a 17-year-old play the way he did on such a big stage, it's hugely impressive," said ex-Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha. "If I was playing against him, I'd want to make it physical, try to knock him off his stride. But his composure was excellent. His understanding of where to be. He looks like he's ready to go to war against Willian Pacho. I loved how impactful he was in the game." Madjo's goal cancelled out Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's opener for PSG, only for Desire Doue to hit a second-half winner after a video assistant referee (VAR) check. Villa have been looking to sign a new striker - Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson has been a summer target - but Madjo's availability now gives Emery a different option and dilemma before the Premier League season opener at Brighton on 23 August. "You've got a young player coming, especially on a stage like this one, against PSG, getting in those scoring positions and not allowing that disappointment to stay with you," former Villa striker Dion Dublin told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I saw Brian Madjo, he had his hands on his head for a couple of seconds and then he got into another scoring position. "He was brave enough to get back into that scoring position and if he keeps missing it's not frightening him. He's happy to have that pressure on his shoulders. I've been there, you need to be able to deal with it. At 17, he seems to be doing it easily."