Brian Madjo, 17, ends 212-day wait with Aston Villa debut and Super Cup equaliser

Brian Madjo, 17, made his Aston Villa debut and scored an equaliser as Villa lost 2-1 to Paris St-Germain in the Uefa Super Cup in Salzburg on Wednesday, ending a 212-day wait for competitive action. The forward's introduction came after a protracted registration battle that had kept him sidelined since his January transfer from Metz.

Madjo joined Villa from Metz in January for a reported £10m but could not be registered while under-18 international transfer rules applied; Villa argued he should be exempt because he was born in London despite him having three caps for Luxembourg in friendlies. The club won an appeal through the Court of Arbitration for Sport at the start of this month, with the battle described as finally won just eight days ago after Villa took their case to CAS in July, and Madjo was subsequently added to the travelling party for Salzburg.

Emery handed Madjo a starting role with Ollie Watkins rested after World Cup duty and Tammy Abraham on the bench, having seen the 6ft 4in striker score four goals in pre-season. Madjo cancelled out Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's opener when he held off Ecuador international Willian Pacho to volley in John McGinn's cross at the Red Bull Arena; Desire Doue later struck the match-winner for PSG after a video assistant referee check.

Madjo had earlier missed two notable first-half opportunities — planting a free header over from three yards and firing wide — but remained a persistent presence against Brazil captain Marquinhos and produced what the report called arguably the hardest chance of his three first-half attempts. He was replaced by Tammy Abraham with 18 minutes remaining.

Unai Emery praised Madjo's tactical work and attitude, saying: "He played because he was showing us his capacity to work and be demanding. It is not just about scoring goals, it's about defending and how he has the commitment and discipline tactically. He was doing that. "I wanted to play with young players and watch their progression. Brian started scoring goals [in pre-season] against Walsall and Real Sociedad. "Now the reality is we have shown their capacity, but they have to keep being consistent, demanding and keep performing at the level they were."

Former Villa striker Dion Dublin commented on Madjo's temperament on BBC Radio 5 Live: "You've got a young player coming, especially on a stage like this one, against PSG, getting in those scoring positions and not allowing that disappointment to stay with you. "I saw Brian Madjo, he had his hands on his head for a couple of seconds and then he got into another scoring position. "He was brave enough to get back into that scoring position and if he keeps missing it's not frightening him. He's happy to have that pressure on his shoulders. I've been there, you need to be able to deal with it. At 17, he seems to be doing it easily."

Emery said he selected players who were ready and fit for the match and outlined the club's approach to managing workload: "We decided to play this match with the players who were ready to play, were fit and trying to avoid some risk with some players. It is very important how we are going to manage the players. "I am trying to use my experience to avoid some mistakes which i can understand can happen. "I can feel free with my decision and proud of the players." He also noted Watkins, Emi Martinez and Ezri Konsa would return next week after being given a month off following the World Cup; Martinez lost the final with Argentina while Watkins and Konsa helped England to third place.

Villa have pursued additional forward options this summer, with Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson named as a target, but Madjo's clearance to play now provides Unai Emery an internal option ahead of the Premier League season opener at Brighton on 23 August.