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Champions League Preview: Paris Saint-Germain vs Aston Villa
Quarter-Final First Leg – Parc des Princes, Wednesday
A spot in the Champions League semi-finals is on the line as Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa go head-to-head for the very first time in European competition. With either Real Madrid or Arsenal waiting in the final four, both sides will be eager to take control of the tie in Wednesday's first leg at the Parc des Princes.
PSG’s Pursuit of European Glory
Paris Saint-Germain arrive in red-hot form, fresh off clinching another Ligue 1 title with six games to spare. Their only defeat in the last 29 matches came in the first leg against Liverpool, but Luis Enrique’s young squad bounced back in style, winning the return leg at Anfield and then holding their nerve in a penalty shootout to reach the quarter-finals.
With players like Ousmane Dembele in devastating form—scoring seven goals in his last six Champions League games—PSG’s attack looks as sharp as ever. Dembele, alongside Bradley Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, forms a dynamic front three, while the team boasts the youngest average starting XI remaining in the competition.
Marquinhos will miss the first leg due to suspension, but key starters rested over the weekend—such as Nuno Mendes and Joao Neves—are expected to return.
Villa’s European Revival Under Emery
Aston Villa, meanwhile, are enjoying a dream run in Europe under Unai Emery. Back in the Champions League after a 40-year absence, the 1982 champions have impressed throughout the campaign. A statement win over Bayern Munich in the group stage and a commanding 6-1 aggregate victory over Club Brugge in the last 16 have shown their pedigree.
Winter signings Marcus Rashford and PSG loanee Marco Asensio have given Villa’s frontline a real edge. Asensio, in particular, has been reborn at Villa Park, scoring three goals in just two Champions League appearances. With Ollie Watkins, Donyell Malen, and Morgan Rogers also competing for attacking roles, Emery has options going forward.
While Ross Barkley is out, the rest of the squad is fit, and captain John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, and Ezri Konsa are all likely to return to the starting lineup.
History & Head-to-Head
This marks the first-ever meeting between PSG and Aston Villa in European competition. Emery’s history with PSG—where he managed from 2016 to 2018—adds an intriguing narrative, though he’s only beaten Luis Enrique twice in ten previous encounters.
Villa have a poor record in France, losing on their last two visits, but under Emery, they’ve built a reputation as resilient underdogs in Europe.
Form Guide
PSG (all competitions): WWWWWW
PSG (Champions League): WWWWLW
Aston Villa (all competitions): WWWWWW
Aston Villa (Champions League): DWLWWW
Prediction
PSG’s home record and firepower make them favourites on the night, but Villa’s form and Emery’s knockout expertise suggest they won’t go down without a fight.
Prediction: PSG 2-1 Aston Villa
The tie is likely to be finely poised heading into the second leg at Villa Park.