Soccer
John McGinn feels 17-year-old Brian Madjo will be ‘big player’ for Aston Villa
John McGinn has backed rookie striker Brian Madjo to play a big part for Aston Villa this season.
The 17-year-old became the youngest Super Cup goalscorer during Villa’s narrow 2-1 defeat by Paris St Germain in Salzburg on Wednesday night.
At 6ft 4ins, Madjo is an imposing figure and could have had a hat-trick before he volleyed home McGinn’s cross to equalise just before half-time.
The January transfer from Metz had to wait eight months for his debut due to a wrangle over FIFA rules on signing under-18s, but he announced himself in style with an all-action display against the double Champions League winners.
“He was absolutely fantastic – 17 years of age, such a great physical specimen,” said Villa skipper McGinn.
“But he’s been through a lot. He’s not been able to play for six months to a year and he’s handled that amazingly. He’s kept himself in good shape.
“It would have been very easy for him to put his head down after those missed chances, but good strikers get themselves in those positions, and he’s going to be a big player for us this season.”
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired PSG ahead after 20 minutes before Madjo planted two headers wide and crashed a shot against a post.
But his moment arrived in the 45th minute when he used his strength to hold off Willian Pacho and guide the ball inside the far post.
Desire Doue won it for PSG on the hour after a VAR check showed he was onside when he raced through to score the second.
But it was an encouraging night for the much-changed Europa League winners, who sold key players Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans over the summer and left World Cup trio Ollie Watkins, Ezri Konsa and Emi Martinez at home.
“I’m very proud of our performance,” added McGinn. “We played against the best team in Europe, the best team in the world at the minute, and we more than deserved to be in the game.
“We got a lot of chances to win the game and on another night we definitely do that. So, very, very disappointed, but very proud of the performance.
“We were very brave on the ball. PSG can press you hard, but we took the ball in brave positions. We built up from the back and we created great chances.
“So, if we do that this season we’ll have another great season. We’ll be a very tough team to play against, and hopefully we can go far in Europe again.”
