Aston Villa player ratings as teenagers shine in UEFA Super Cup defeat against Paris Saint-Germain
Brian Madjo scored his first Villa goal in an eye-catching performance against the European champions
No loss is ever a positive in itself but if you want to find positives in a loss, this one will do very nicely, thank you.
Aston Villa played without fear against Paris Saint-Germain and it looked good on them. The Europa League winners never follow up with the UEFA Super Cup and back-to-back Champions League winners PSG came closer than most in Salzburg tonight.
Villa ended the first half well and started the second at the same level, causing the best club team in the world huge problems throughout.
In the end, one foot’s worth of sloppiness in the offside line was the difference and PSG were as clinical with their few chances as you’d expect.
Our Aston Villa player ratings vote for this match against PSG is now open so you can have your say.
Here are our ratings after a creditable 2-1 defeat in Austria:
Marco Bizot - 6
Consistently made the right decisions with the ball at his feet. Made a great save from a deflected effort in the middle of the first half but could do absolutely nothing about the opening goal despite the shot being blasted within his reach.
Matty Cash - 6
Got stuck into Nuno Mendes in the first half and generally came out on top. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was a different challenge and Cash did well to keep him at bay until he dropped a shoulder to create half a yard of space and open the scoring.
Victor Lindelöf - 6
As ever, entirely comfortable in this sort of company. With Pau Torres alongside him, Lindelöf’s job with the ball is not a complicated one. Defended solidly when called upon.
Pau Torres - 6
The best passer on the pitch early on and afforded plenty of time with which to find his man. Soon overshadowed in possession by the European champions. Booked for a foul in the second half, very harshly in my view, and was substituted late.
Ian Maatsen - 6
Made a terrific start at left-back, protecting the ball well and intent on getting at defenders. Vital defensive intervention inside the first ten minutes to pinch the ball off Achraf Hakimi but gave the ball away shortly after the opening goal.
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Boubacar Kamara - 6
Started in full Kamara mode in his first competitive fixture since February. Defensively sound when required to provide an extra body at the back. Zipped Villa’s first shot just wide from 25 yards. Substituted with 19 minutes left.
João Gomes - 6
A very decent debut. Initially, his role was mostly to keep the shape while PSG showed little will to attack through the middle. Got no favours from the referee but still managed to put in a couple of trademark tackles. Booked in the second half. Standard. Substituted with a little over ten minutes to go.
John McGinn - 7
All-action and endless desire to win, but a difficult assignment against the best left side in the world. Provided superb service for Brian Madjo before the break including, finally, the assist for his first proper Villa goal. Substituted with 19 minutes left and got a yellow card on the way off.
Emi Buendía - 7
Formed Villa’s out-of-possession front two with Madjo. Full of energy and kept PSG honest with the ball at the back. His quality and invention in the final third make him undroppable at this point.
George Hemmings - 8
Flashes of genuine excellence. Played on the left of the three-man line behind Madjo and caused no end of problems when he moved across to the right in spells. Full of appetite to open his legs and attack open grass in the PSG half.
Clearly fouled in the box ten minutes from the end of the first half after outpacing Hakimi but stayed on his feet. Did his bit defensively in the Villa box too.
Brian Madjo - 7
Not over-awed in the slightest and never shy about getting a shot away. Worked himself into the ground on his competitive debut for Villa, leading the press intelligently and showing tactical discipline without the ball.
His physicality was a problem for PSG and he was within a foot or two of equalising with a header. Should have scored with his second and went close again when his low shot was blocked onto the post. He didn’t have to wait long before he smashed in the equaliser on the volley.
Substituted with 19 minutes to go.
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Substitutes
Tammy Abraham (for Madjo, 72) - Made his presence felt as Villa pushed for an equaliser and strong running nearly created the moment late on. 6
Lamare Bogarde (for Kamara, 72) - Top cameo off the bench. Three quick-fire examples of important defensive cover with 14 minutes to go and they weren’t the last. Positive early touches in tight spots. 7
Alysson (for McGinn, 72) - European debut. Nearly made a second equaliser with his first involvement, direct attacking in the right channel. 6
Tyrone Mings (for Torres, 79) - Late substitute. N/A
Ross Barkley (for Gomes, 79) - Late substitute. N/A