Brian Madjo’s Aston Villa career finally began in dramatic fashion after the 17-year-old striker announced himself on one of European football’s biggest stages with a goal against Paris St-Germain in the Uefa Super Cup.
Although Villa suffered a 2-1 defeat in Salzburg, the teenager’s performance may have been the most significant outcome for Unai Emery ahead of the new Premier League season.
Madjo had been unable to play a competitive match for Villa since arriving from French club Metz in January because of a FIFA registration dispute. The club spent months fighting the case before winning an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport earlier this month, allowing the England Under-17 international to make his debut after a 212-day wait.
The young forward quickly justified Villa’s persistence.
Starting in attack against the reigning Champions League winners, Madjo scored Villa’s equaliser by holding off PSG defender Willian Pacho before volleying home John McGinn’s cross. The goal capped an energetic display in which he repeatedly troubled PSG captain Marquinhos and consistently threatened the French side’s defence.
Emery’s decision to start the teenager was partly influenced by the absence of Ollie Watkins, who was rested after England’s World Cup campaign, while Tammy Abraham began the match on the bench.
The Villa manager was encouraged by more than just the goal.
“He played because he was showing us his capacity to work and be demanding,” Emery said. “It is not just about scoring goals, it is about defending and how he has the commitment and discipline tactically.”
Madjo had already impressed during pre-season, scoring four goals, and his display against PSG has strengthened his case for a larger role this season.
His emergence could also influence Villa’s transfer plans. The club has been linked with Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson, but Madjo’s availability now gives Emery another attacking option before the Premier League opener against Brighton on 23 August.
Former Villa striker Dion Dublin believes the teenager’s mentality stood out as much as his finishing ability.
“You’ve got a young player coming on a stage like this against PSG, getting into those scoring positions and not allowing disappointment to stay with you,” Dublin said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “At 17, he seems to be handling that pressure easily.”
Madjo’s rise comes after a complex eligibility battle. Villa argued that because he was born in London, he should qualify for an exemption to FIFA’s rules restricting international transfers involving under-18 players. The case was complicated by his earlier appearances for Luxembourg in friendly matches before he switched to England at youth level.
He has since scored four goals in nine appearances for England Under-17s and is increasingly viewed as one of the country’s most promising young strikers.
For Aston Villa, the teenager’s breakthrough may provide an unexpected boost after a summer of major squad changes. The club has already sold Morgan Rogers to Chelsea and Youri Tielemans to Manchester United, while defender Ezri Konsa continues to attract interest from Arsenal.
Despite the defeat to PSG, Madjo’s debut has given Villa supporters a new reason for optimism.
After eight months of waiting, one of the club’s brightest young talents has finally arrived.
