PSG vs Aston Villa LIVE: Hosts take two-goal cushion into second leg after fine victory in Paris
PSG 3-1 Aston Villa: The French champions have a strong lead after winning the first leg
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.
Relive the Champions League action with our live blog below:
PSG 1-1 Aston Villa
42 mins: It’s not as you were again with Villa dropping deep and defending to keep PSG out.
How will Unai Emery approach the second half?
GOAL! PSG 1-1 Aston Villa (Desire Doue, 39')
Damn!
Desire Doue is fed the ball over on the left wing and there’s loads of space for him.
Doue comes inside with the ball and shoots. His effort strikes the underside of the bar and lands in the back of the net!
PSG 0-1 Aston Villa
38 mins: The atmosphere has slightly dipped from the PSG supporters and the Villa fans can be heard now.
Matty Cash gets forward on the right and slips as he attempts to put in a cross.
Bett all round from Villa.
GOAL! PSG 0-1 Aston Villa (Morgan Rogers, 35')
Bang!
Aston Villa haven’t done anything until now. It’s a fine move.
McGinn wins the ball in the middle of the pitch, kick starts the counter and feeds the ball over to Rashford.
He plays in Tielemans who squares a pass across the face of goal.
At the back post is Morgan Rogers who taps it home!
'Martinez has looked reliable so far'
“Emi Martinez update: the PSG fans have chorused an insult or two in his native Spanish, just to make sure he understands he isn't their favourite person.
“Martinez has looked very reliable so far and Villa solid, with a back four that often becomes a five when someone else drops into the defensive line.
“They haven't had much of the ball in the PSG half, though.”
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
30 mins: Villa have made it through 30 minutes of pressure in this match.
A counter-attack is cut short by Nuno Mendes who is quick to close down Rashford.
Going forward Villa haven’t been able to get anything to click but Unai Emery will be pleased at the current scoreline.
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
27 mins: Kvaratshkelia floats a cross into the box but Martinez is quickly off his line to punch it away.
McGinn completes the clearance for Villa but it isn’t long before PSG have the ball back for another attack.
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
24 mins: Jacob Ramsey took a knock on the back of the knee and needs a bit of treatment.
He seems okay and should be able to play on.
Martinez gets the ball in play once more. There’s a tussle up the pitch and the ball squeezes out to John McGinn.
He has a go from a long, long way out and smokes the ball well wide of the target.
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
23 mins: Close! PSG work the ball brilliantly and get it to Dembele on the right wing.
He runs to the byline then pulls it back for Vitinha.
The midfielder curls a decent effort at goal and whips it over the crossbar!
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