Powerhouse Madjo grabs headlines after strong Aston Villa debut against PSG

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/madjo-brian/UwsMiPon/"]Madjo[/a] became the youngest-ever player to score in the Super Cup when he netted the equaliser on ‌the stroke of halftime, a goal richly deserved for the perseverance he showed having missed several earlier chances.[/p][p]The 17-year-old cut ‌an imposing figure [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/aston-villa-W00wmLO0/psg-CjhkPw0k/?mid=GnSGwOrJ"]in Salzburg[/a], six-foot-four and with a physical presence which gave rise to ‌comparisons with Belgium striker [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lukaku-romelu/dCkG0Iw0/"]Romelu Lukaku[/a] and former [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/aston-villa/W00wmLO0/"]Villa[/a] and England forward Emile Heskey.[/p][p]Madjo, who was born in ‌England, gave one of the world's best defenders, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/pacho-william/KA5AQsy0/"]Willian Pacho[/a], a torrid time, and ‌looks set to light up the Premier League having been forced to wait for his chance to shine in a Villa shirt.[/p][p]Villa signed Madjo from French club [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/metz/4v0yqlWc/"]Metz[/a] on his 17th birthday in January but were unable to register ‌him after FIFA ruled his move an international transfer, which ⁠cannot happen until a player turns 18.[/p][image alt="Madjo tucks home against PSG" id="dc416eff-e833-466d-9c99-414beaf6d919" credit-line="REUTERS / Angelika Warmuth" guid="9ca1b724-3176-48db-830d-1b3497815c9b" original-width="4004" original-height="2635" /][p]The disagreement stemmed ‌from Madjo making three appearances for Luxembourg, where he grew up, while Villa viewed him as an English ​player.[/p][p]Madjo played for Luxembourg's senior side but then made nine appearances for England's Under-17 team before joining Villa.[/p][p]He finally received clearance last week when CAS upheld Villa's appeal ​and after scoring four goals in pre-season friendlies, manager Unai [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/zaire-emery-warren/neJeseDL/"]Emery[/a] named Madjo in his starting side to face back-to-back Champions League winners [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/psg/CjhkPw0k/"]PSG[/a].[/p][p]PSG went ahead through [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/kvaratskhelia-khvicha/bNuGt0hE/"]Khvicha Kvaratskhelia[/a]'s 20th-minute strike. It ⁠was Madjo who lost possession outside his ​own area just before PSG's opener and it looked like the teenager would be eclipsed by the Georgian winger's dazzling display.[/p][h2]First chance[/h2][p]Madjo's first chance came when he passed to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mcginn-john/rgGnzD2e/"]John McGinn[/a] and then darted into the box to meet his captain's cross but his glancing header went just past the ‌post, and minutes later he fired a powerful shot wide of the target.[/p][p]McGinn again picked out Madjo with a ball into the area but the forward's header went over the bar.[/p][p]With his frustrating opening half coming to a close, the youngster continued to put himself into a position to score.[/p][p]Villa's captain floated a pass towards the back post, and Madjo outmuscled Pacho to meet the ball first time and send his side-footed volley into the roof of the net.[/p][image alt="Madjo stats vs PSG" id="bfb00bbb-c5f4-438a-8805-522d7c7f9d3c" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="3969f2ff-4527-4834-9805-c8dbba680fd2" original-width="2160" original-height="2700" /][p]"[b]He was absolutely fantastic[/b]," McGinn said.[/p][p]"[b]It would have been very easy for him to let his head get down after the missed chances but good strikers continue to get themselves in good positions[/b].[/p][p]"[b]He's going to be ‌a big player for us this season[/b]."[/p][p]Madjo almost turned provider shortly after the break, making a bursting ​run into the PSG half before laying the ball off to McGinn whose strike ‌was parried away by goalkeeper [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/safonov-matvey/zJF3W9Rq/"]Matvey Safonov[/a].[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/doue-desire/KIUWH2Jq/"]Desire Doue[/a] scored PSG's winner just after the hour mark, and Madjo was replaced by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/abraham-tammy/OYhxyduf/"]Tammy Abraham[/a], who was seen embracing the teenager as he left the pitch at halftime.[/p][p]Emery was impressed by Madjo and 19-year-old midfielder [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/hemmings-george/h468RYvs/"]George Hemmings[/a].[/p][p]"[b]They were working and not playing, and we were trying to get them ready to play and ⁠get them to the level they did today[/b]," ⁠Emery said of Madjo.[/p][p]"[b]There's still work ‌to do but today they showed they can be close with us to compete[/b]."[/p]