Aston Villa’s 17-year-old striker Brian Madjo has been cleared to play competitive football after a dispute over his January move from Metz, allowing him to feature before his 18th birthday. His impressive pre-season form and goal against Paris Saint-Germain in the Uefa Super Cup have rapidly increased attention on him, while prompting a reminder against placing excessive expectations on young players.

Villa paid £10m for Madjo, who is London-born, represents Luxembourg at youth level and may yet be eligible for England or Cameroon. The 6ft 4in forward scored four times in pre-season and became the youngest player to start and score in the Super Cup, despite missing several earlier chances against PSG. The article places him among a wider group of teenage prospects, including Arsenal’s Max Dowman and Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha.