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:
PSG will not be intimidated by hostile atmosphere at Aston Villa, says Luis Enrique
“For us, it is always a pleasure to play and compete in a stadium like this, with so much history,” Enrique said.
“We love playing football. Our teams and supporters are accustomed to this. It is going to be a big match, there is certainly no problem with the atmosphere. It is a motivation, more than anything.
“The tie isn’t over, it is still open. It is going to be difficult. We are prepared to suffer if necessary to get our aim and win this match.”
PSG line-up
PSG XI: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; João Neves, Vitinha, Fabián Ruiz; Barcola, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia.
Aston Villa line-up
Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Pau, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; McGinn, Onana, Rogers; Watkins.
Why is Prince William an Aston Villa fan?
There was a royal presence in the crowd at the Parc des Princes last week.
Prince William, a longstanding Aston Villa fan, took Prince George to the Paris watch his team in their Champions League first leg against PSG.
The Prince of Wales told TNT Sports pundits Ally McCoist and Rio Ferdinand that bringing Prince George to the clash was a “big deal” and that he was “nervous” and “pretty terrified” ahead of kick off.
William was pictured celebrating and hugging George, who was wearing an Aston Villa scarf, following Morgan Rogers’ opening goal which gave the Birmingham side a first-half lead.
How things went down in Paris
Aston Villa will need to overturn a two-goal deficit in the Champions League quarter-finals after being beaten 3-1 by PSG in the first leg of their tie.
Villa took the lead against the run of play at the Parc des Princes. With PSG on top, John McGinn took control of the ball and kicked off a counter-attack. Morgan Rogers finished off the move with a tap in at the back post and the good vibes ended there for Unai Emery’s men.
Desire Doue was the instigator of PSG’s comeback. He cut in from the left and fizzed a shot into the far top corner before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia sent the hosts ahead in the second half with an equally superb strike.
Villa seemed content to take a loss back to the Midlands but Nuno Mendes made the task incredibly difficult in stoppage time with a dainty and professional finish to sit down Emi Martinez and give the French champions a third goal.
Aston Villa are underdogs against PSG but their optimism is not misguided
The way Unai Emery has tried to explain it, Nuno Mendes’s injury-time goal at the Parc des Princes didn’t alter much.
The temptation was to think it made Aston Villa’s task twice as hard, from the tough to the borderline impossible.
Emery disagreed, both in the wake of defeat to Paris Saint-Germain last week and ahead of the rematch.
Richard Jolly previews tonight’s crucial second leg at Villa Park:
Why optimism is not misguided for underdogs Aston Villa vs PSG
Elsewhere in the Champions League tonight
Aston Villa face a difficult task to overcome a two-goal deficit against PSG - but their challenge won’t feel nearly as daunting as the one confronting Dortmund tonight.
Last year’s Champions League finalists play host to Barcelona at the Westfalenstadion, with the Blaugrana holding a 4-0 advantage from the first leg.
If you’re looking for jeopardy, I’d stay tuned to the happenings in the West Midlands.
Odds for the clash
Aston Villa to win - 2/1
Draw - 23/10
PSG to win - 1/1
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Predicted line-ups
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Rogers, Asensio, Rashford; Watkins
PSG: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
What is the PSG team news?
Having wrapped up the French title already and with no game at the weekend, PSG have no new injury concerns and Marquinhos could return after missing the first leg.
Desire Doue could again start ahead of Bradley Barcola in attack after his excellent first-leg display.
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