Aston Villa vs PSG LIVE: Result and reaction as hosts fall just short in Champions League thriller
Aston Villa 3-2 PSG (agg. 4-5): The hosts came close in a compelling comeback but could not find an equaliser
A remarkable, riotous comeback from Aston Villa fell just short as Paris Saint-Germain clung on to progress to the Champions League semi-finals.
The French capital club looked to be cruising into the last four when they struck twice in the opening half-hour, through full-backs Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes, to double their advantage in the tie after securing a 3-1 win in Paris last week.
But the hosts came roaring back at a raucous Villa Park. Youri Tielemans’s deflected effort before half time gave them hope before the tie appeared to turn in five second-half minutes as John McGinn and Ezri Konsa struck. It left Villa chasing an equaliser to take the encounter to extra time, and they had their chances - but Unai Emery’s side could not find a fourth, with PSG grateful to Gianluigi Donnarumma for a sprinkling of spectacular saves. They face either Arsenal or Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
Re-live all the Champions League action with our live blog below:
Aston Villa 3-2 PSG (4-5 agg.)
78 mins: CHANCE! Dembele has blown that.
PSG break with numbers and Doue is making a fantastic run down the middle.
Dembele chooses not to pass and instead puts it onto his left and blazes over. Selfish decision that could yet cost his side in this tie.
Aston Villa 3-2 PSG (4-5 agg.)
77 mins: SAVE! Dembele gets it in the box and opens himself up for the shot.
He fires it low at Martinez who closes his legs and makes sure no shot is going through him.
Imperative that Villa don’t stumble defensively here.
Emery is going for broke
Fifteen minutes to go. Emery has gone for broke by bringing on Asensio and Ramsey.
Rashford has been superb. PSG have looked defensively susceptible, but have been rescued by Donnarumma.
It feels like anything could happen.
Aston Villa 3-2 PSG (4-5 agg.)
75 mins: Watkins is on, Rashford is off. A change of firepower for Unai Emery.
Ian Maatsen has also entered the fray for Lucas Digne.
Villa on the verge of a sensational comeback
Villa have never given up and neither has John McGinn. The midfielder who joined them in the Championship has now become the captain who has scored in a Champions League quarter-final.
Ezri Konsa, another with his roots lower down the pyramid, has put them ahead on the night.
They couldn't complete a sensational comeback, could they?
Aston Villa 3-2 PSG
71 mins: CHANCE! An absolute sitter missed from Konsa!
A delicious free-kick is whipped in and Konsa has a free header as he flies in on the edge of the six-yard box - but he completely misses the ball!
That was right there for him. Any contact and that’s got Villa on terms.
Aston Villa 3-2 PSG
70 mins: SAVE! So, so nearly an Asensio instant impact.
He’s played in behind and tries to slip it beyond Donnarumma, but the Italian is out quickly to make a vital stop.
Aston Villa 3-2 PSG
68 mins: Jacob Ramsey is also on the pitch, for Onana.
McGinn was the man to make way for Asensio.
Aston Villa 3-2 PSG
67 mins: Double substitution for Villa and there’s a very interesting addition to the pitch.
Marco Asensio, who is under contract at PSG, has come on for the hosts against his parent club.
This is written in the stars, isn’t it.
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