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 0-0 Aston Villa
18 mins: Matty Cash is the first player to see yellow tonight after colliding with Kvaratskheila.
Ezri Konsa was caught napping and Cash had to come across to cover him which earned the booking.
The free kick is slotted to Hakimi who smokes a long effort at goal which is scooped up by Martinez.
'By order of the PSG fans'
“The home supporters had a massive tifo with the message ‘by the order of the PSG fans’.
“Was that their response to the Peaky Blinders?
“Either way, they have been loud, and not merely in whistling Emi Martinez.
“The goalkeeper may be unperturbed. His save from Ousmane Dembele was terrific and probably very necessary.”
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
16 mins: A dainty pass over the top from Vitinha gets Achraf Hakimi into the box.
He miscontrols the ball and is closed down by Martinez who wins Villa a goal kick.
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
14 mins: Villa intercept the ball on the edge of their own box. They work it well and move the ball into the feet of John McGinn.
He drives through the middle of the pitch and draws a foul.
The free kick is taken by Youri Tielemans who launches it forward. The ball drops into left side of the box. Gianluigi Donnarumma comes out and palms the ball off the head of Pau Torres.
Villa flick it back into the dangerzone quickly but Willian Pacho leaps up to nod it clear.
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
11 mins: It’s going to be a long night for Villa.
Matty Cash finds himself one-on-one with Kvaratskhelia and is under pressure. The winger twists, turns and dribbles into the area before poking the ball to Nuno Mendes cutting inside.
He shoots and Villa are positioned well enough to block this effort too.
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
8 mins: Dembele goes sprinting down the right side of the pitch and brings the ball into the box before winning a corner.
It’s the first of the game.
PSG play it short to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who dribbles into the penalty area.
He skips inside and has a shot blocked. The ball comes back to Dembele who forces another save out of Martinez!
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
6 mins: Through these early minutes it seems as though Villa will allow PSG to have most of the possession and attempt to counter with the pace of Marcus Rashford.
PSG are patient and work the ball over to the right side of the pitch.
A pass is pulled back to Vitinha who drills a low effort at goal which is smothered by Martinez.
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
3 mins: Here we go.
Desire Doue takes the ball on the inside right with his back to goal.
He controls it, spins and lays off a fine pass to Ousmanne Dembele.
Dembele cuts to the left and smokes a shot at goal but blazes his effort well over the top.
Emi Martinez collects the ball to resume the match and is met with a chorus of boos by the French fans who are less than fond of Villa’s Argentine goalkeeper.
Kick off! PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
Aston Villa get the ball rolling and send it back to Emi Martinez.
He pumps it long and over to the right side of the pitch. Marcus Rashford is hovering around but the PSG defenders manage to deal with the ball.
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
The players make their way out onto the pitch at the Parc de Princes.
Aston Villa haven’t been in this situation for over 40 years.
It is a first for this group of players and they are two matches away from a Champions League semi-final. Can they get there?
Kick off is up next...
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments