PSG 1-1 Aston Villa: Kvaratskhelia opens the scoring, Madjo equalises before the break

PSG controlled the first half for a long time before seeing Aston Villa come back just before the break. 1-1 after 45 minutes in a UEFA Super Cup that gradually shifted back into balance.

Paris takes control

The Parisians started strongly. The ball moved quickly, spaces were found and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia quickly established himself as the main threat on the Paris side. The Georgian produced a series of bursting runs and took the initiative before opening the scoring in the 20th minute, with a strike under the crossbar following a poorly cleared action by the English defence.

Throughout that opening half-hour, Kvaratskhelia was clearly the sharpest player in the PSG side: he drove at defenders, combined well and forced Aston Villa to drop back. Paris could have extended their lead, but the shape of the match gradually changed.

Akliouche, a solid first start

Maghnes Akliouche, making his first official start in PSG colours, was more understated. But the young attacking midfielder did not force anything: he played it simple, made himself available and contributed neatly to Paris' attacking sequences. Not spectacular, perhaps, but tidy and without any major errors.

Villa grow into the game, Madjo strikes on 45

From the half-hour mark, Aston Villa found more solutions. Brian Madjo, 17, became the main English threat. The striker produced a series of attempts:

• A header wide
• A missed shot
• A big headed chance
• A post in the 44th minute

The fifth attempt made it count. In the 45th minute, Madjo finally beat the Paris goalkeeper and brought the two sides level. An equaliser that rewarded a much more aggressive end to the first half from the English side.

Everything still to play for

Paris had taken control of the match but were unable to hold on to it until the break. Kvaratskhelia made his mark, Akliouche is still finding his feet in his new environment, and Villa finished the first half in a completely different gear. Everything is still to play for in the second half.