‘Proud of the Team’ — Emiliano Buendía Reacts After Aston Villa Push PSG in Super Cup Defeat

Emiliano Buendía believes Aston Villa can take plenty of pride from their performance despite suffering a 2–1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup.

Villa ultimately missed out on the trophy in Salzburg, but they pushed the reigning European champions all the way and showed signs that Unai Emery's revamped side could have plenty to offer this season.

Villa Refuse to Be Overawed by PSG

PSG entered the contest as Champions League holders, but Villa were far from intimidated.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened the scoring before 17-year-old Brian Madjo equalised for Emery's side, becoming the youngest-ever scorer in Super Cup history in the process.

Désiré Doué eventually restored PSG's advantage, with his goal awarded after a VAR review.

Despite the defeat, Villa remained competitive until the final whistle.

Buendía Sees Plenty of Positives

For Buendía, the performance demonstrated that Villa can compete against Europe's very best.

The Argentine playmaker was among Villa's standout performers and was involved in several of their most dangerous attacking moments.

He even came close to finding an equaliser late in the contest, with his header narrowly missing the target.

Rather than focusing solely on the disappointment of losing the trophy, Buendía believes the performance provides encouragement ahead of the new campaign.

A New Villa Taking Shape

The Super Cup represented an intriguing early test for Emery's side following a summer of significant changes.

Villa have added new faces while also giving opportunities to younger players, and that mixture was evident against PSG.

George Hemmings impressed in midfield, while Madjo's historic goal provided another major talking point.

Buendía's performance also offered encouragement after the Argentine's recent efforts to establish himself as an important attacking figure again.

Defeat, But Plenty to Build On

The result will inevitably hurt.

Villa had the chance to claim another European trophy after winning the Europa League last season, but PSG's quality ultimately proved decisive.

Yet the manner of the performance could be more important for Emery in the long term.

Villa competed with a PSG team packed with elite talent and created enough opportunities to believe they could have taken the match further.

That is precisely why Buendía and his teammates can leave Salzburg with their heads held high.

Buendía's Role Could Be Crucial

The Argentine's creativity will be particularly important for Villa this season.

When fit and confident, Buendía gives Emery a different dimension in attack, capable of operating between the lines and creating opportunities for teammates.

His involvement against PSG showed why Villa continue to value his qualities.

The challenge now is turning those flashes into consistent performances throughout the season.

Madjo Provides Another Reason for Optimism

If there was one moment that perfectly captured Villa's potential, it was Madjo's equaliser.

The teenager showed remarkable composure on one of the biggest stages available to a young player and immediately entered the Super Cup record books. �

The Guardian

For Emery, having emerging talent capable of stepping up alongside established players could prove invaluable.

PSG Had the Final Word

Villa's resistance eventually ended when Doué produced PSG's winning moment.

The Frenchman struck in the second half, and VAR confirmed that he was onside after the initial flag.

PSG then managed the closing stages effectively to secure their second consecutive Super Cup triumph.

But the scoreline does not tell the entire story.

Villa made the European champions work for their trophy.

A Defeat That Could Become a Turning Point

Villa supporters will naturally have wanted silverware.

But Buendía's reaction reflects a bigger picture.

This was a team undergoing change, facing the Champions League holders and still managing to produce a performance full of energy, character and attacking threat.

If Villa can carry that level of competitiveness into the Premier League and Europe, the Super Cup defeat could ultimately be remembered as the beginning of something rather than simply a missed opportunity.

Villa lost the trophy — but Buendía believes they gained something valuable in return: belief.