PSG players including Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian defender #05 Marquinhos celebrate with the trophy after winning the UEFA Supercup football match between Champions League winners Paris Saint Germain (PSG) and Europa League winners Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria on August 12, 2026. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
Salzburg, Austria: Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain rubber-stamped their status as Europe's top team as they beat Aston Villa 2-1 in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue netted either side of a debut goal for Villa teenager Brian Madjo in Salzburg as PSG defended the title they first won 12 months ago against another Premier League side, Tottenham Hotspur.
The Super Cup, which pits the winners of Europe's top club competition against the victorious side from the second-tier Europa League, was officiated by Somalian referee Omar Artan.
The 34-year-old referee unwittingly found himself in the media spotlight in June after being turned away on arrival at Miami International Airport, despite being part of the panel of referees selected by FIFA for the World Cup.
Ahead of the start of their respective domestic seasons, both sides named relatively strong sides.
PSG's starting XI featured nine players that lifted the Champions League trophy against Arsenal in May, including Vitinha, Joao Neves and captain Marquinhos.
French left-back Lucas Digne, who on Sunday signed for the Parisians, was on the bench against his old side.
Villa rested World Cup campaigners Ezri Konsa, Emi Martinez and Ollie Watkins, but Unai Emery handed debuts to midfielder Joao Gomes and striker Madjo.
Midfielder Boubacar Kamara also started for the first time since suffering a serious knee injury in January.
