Starting as it means to go on, PSG clinches Super Cup

Luis Enrique responded to the swing in fortunes by sending on Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele for new PSG recruit Maghnes Akliouche at halftime.

Villa kept up its head of steam after the interval, though, as Madjo and McGinn again combined to good effect, with the 31-year-old forcing Safonov to beat away a curling effort.

France international Doue raced down the right and bent one into the Villa net on 61 minutes, but was initially denied by the assistant's flag.

VAR intervened, however, and found that Villa right-back Matty Cash on the far side of the pitch was playing the PSG winger onside and awarded the goal, much to Doue's surprise and delight.

The Premier League side had a chance to strike back instantly through 19-year-old George Hemmings, but Safonov stood strong to keep the score at 2-1.

PSG midfielder Warren Zaire-Emery then had to fling himself in front of a Gomes effort.

Enrique sent on World Cup winner Fabian Ruiz with a quarter of an hour remaining to help PSG shore up the center of the park, as Villa hunted for a leveler.

Its best chance came inside the final 10 minutes, as Tammy Abraham was just unable to reach Alysson's cut-back inside the six-yard box.

The Qatar-backed Ligue 1 champion managed to hold on to make a winning start to its new season, which it hopes will end with a third consecutive Champions League crown.

Madjo causes havoc

Despite the defeat, it was quite the debut by the powerfully built teenager Madjo, who was born in north London, has played three friendly matches for Luxembourg, but has now decided to represent England.

Madjo joined Villa from French club Metz in January, but FIFA blocked his club registration because its transfer rules limit international moves by players under the age of 18.

Villa appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and the appeal was upheld last week, allowing Madjo to make his club debut and become the youngest player to feature in a Super Cup.

He caused havoc at times for PSG's elite center-half duo of Willian Pacho and Marquinhos, and could have scored two or three goals before finally getting on the scoresheet by meeting McGinn's cross on the stroke of halftime to volley into the PSG net.

Moments earlier, Madjo had bundled past Pacho and hit the post with a shot.

It was a fourth straight loss in the Super Cup for Villa manager Unai Emery, whose other losses came with Sevilla (twice) and Villarreal.