Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Aston Villa: Brilliant PSG take control of UEFA Champions League quarter-final with three world-class goals

Champions League / Quarter-final

Parc des Princes / 09.04.2025

Paris Saint-Germain

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Aston Villa

M. Rogers(35')

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INSPIRED PSG BEAT VILLA 3-1 IN PARIS

A late goal extended Paris Saint-Germain’s advantage after Aston Villa’s brave resistance was undone in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg at the Parc des Princes.

Visitors Villa sat deep for much of a challenging evening in the French capital, defending resolutely in the hope of limiting the damage ahead of next week’s second leg at Villa Park. And hopes of a huge result for Unai Emery’s side were raised when Morgan Rogers opened the scoring against the run of play on 35 minutes, ending a slick move after John McGinn had won the ball in midfield.

But PSG’s array of attacking talent turned up to wow the home crowd, with 29 attempts on goal racked up in total, and three world-class efforts giving the hosts a 3-1 win on the night.

Desire Doue’s superb curled finish equalised for PSG on 39 minutes, with the young winger picking out the far top corner with a shot that kissed the underside of the bar on its way in. And the skilled Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored a sensational goal of his own, ending a flowing counter-attack with a driving run, skilfully making space on his left before driving a fizzing shot into the top of the net from a tight angle.

Villa sat with eleven behind the ball for much of the second half, doing all they could to deny PSG further goals, but the third came in stoppage time as left-back Nuno Mendes made a run in behind the defence, cutting back onto his right to wrong-foot the defence and goalkeeper before finishing superbly.

PSG, on this sort of form, look the favourites to win the whole competition and Aston Villa know they need something truly special if they are to continue their European journey into the semi-finals.

Highlights: Three ridiculous goals undo Villa in Paris

Video credit: TNT Sports

RIO FERDINAND LAUDS PHENOMENAL PSG

PSG’s attacking brilliance had the TNT Sports commentary team making gasps of excitement during the game, and Rio Ferdinand carried that enthusiasm into the post-match reaction, praising the Ligue 1 side’s play both on and off the ball.

"As much as we’ve been blown away by the goals we’ve seen and the moments of skills and brilliance from the PSG players, I was as impressed if not MORE by their ability to win the ball back. They played with the authority of a team who have won this tournament many times before, but they haven’t.

"It looks like a team who know how to get the best out of each individual player and really dominate opponents. This is a team that I have as favourites right now."

Rio also pinpointed an issue that awaits Villa in the second leg if they hope to come from behind in the tie:

"The big problem that Aston Villa have now is that their fans, rightly so, are going to get behind the team, and will expect them to be on the front foot. Against this PSG team, going on the front foot, the spaces open up… you saw the last goal, a little glimmer of a space to play through and they get it through. That’s not even one of their wingers, it’s the left-back.

"It’s not over by any means. They’ve got players who can hurt this PSG team and they’ve got a manager who knows his way around Europe and winning trophies. But this is a different PSG team than we’ve ever seen in this competition."

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THREE RIDICULOUS GOALS UNDO VILLA

Aston Villa were in dreamland when they opener the scoring at the Parc des Princes through Morgan Rogers.

Rogers strikes to spark delirium amongst Aston Villa fans – including HRH Prince William

Video credit: TNT Sports

But PSG were the better side for much of the first half and equalised just moments later through this brilliant hit from young winger Desire Doue.

'Oh my word!' - Doue levels for PSG with 'sensational' strike

Video credit: TNT Sports

The outstanding individual talent in the PSG ranks was always going to be difficult for Villa to repel, and so it proved, with the mercurial Khvicha Kvaratskhelia bagging this beauty of his own in the second half:

Kvaratskhelia smashes home 'absolutely ridiculous' goal to give PSG lead

Video credit: TNT Sports

And the threats from PSG come from all over the pitch, with left-back Nuno Mendes adding this top-class third at the death:

ALL TO DO FOR VILLA IN THE SECOND LEG

Aston Villa defended resolutely for much of a testing night at the Parc des Princes, but even Villa’s best efforts were not enough to keep out an inspired PSG, who will take a 3-1 lead into the second leg at Villa Park next week. PSG racked up 29 shots in the game, with 11 on target, having completely dominated possession. It is a mountain to climb for Villa in this tie against a team who look right now like they could be the best in this competition.

FULL-TIME: ADVANTAGE PSG

The final whistle goes just after Emi Martinez tips another save over the bar. That’s a fitting end to a night in which Villa’s goal has been peppered, with PSG scoring three world-class goals to lead this tie 3-1 ahead of the second leg.

92'

Paris Saint-Germain

92'

GOAL! PSG 3-1 ASTON VILLA (NUNO MENDES)

It’s a brutal blow to Aston Villa as PSG add a third goal right at the death to take control of the tie. Left-back Nuno Mendes beats the offside trap to run onto a pass from Dembele and his cut back leaves the covering defender and goalkeeper both on the floor. Mendes keeps his head and finishes into the far top corner from a wide angle. It’s another outstanding goal and it could well prove Villa’s undoing in this tie. 3-1!

90'

ROGERS CURLS A SHOT OVER

Villa have a rare opportunity to get numbers forward with an attacking move and Rogers twists on the ball in the box and manages to get a shot away on the turn, sending his effort over the bar. It was a tricky skill to execute, a half chance at best, but more encouragement for Villa at the end of this game.

88'

ANOTHER BRAVE BLOCK

Barcola makes a brilliant run and feeds Zaïre-Emery in the box, but Torres makes an outstanding block to prevent another attempt on target. The Villa defence have worked incredibly hard all evening.

86'

LONG THROW TROUBLES PSG

Digne launches a long throw into the PSG box that Onana flicks on, but he can’t quite get the direction on his header to get it into a dangerous area in the box, with the ball floating into the side-netting. Emery will have noted how much that troubled PSG though, and expect more of those sort of situations in the second leg.

82'

THIS WOULD BE OKAY FOR VILLA

Escaping this test with just a one-goal deficit would represent a relative success for Villa and would leave them with something to work with in next week’s return fixture. PSG have dominated possession and territory, racking up a big number of shots, but it has taken two brilliant moments of magic to unlock Unai Emery’s side tonight so far.

79'

TRIPLE SUB FOR VILLA

Maatsen, Onana and Watkins add some fresh legs for Villa for the final ten minutes as off go McGinn, Tielemans and Rashford, all three of whom played a part in setting up Villa’s opener.

78'

VITINHA SHOOTS WIDE

Villa continue to hold firm, resisting PSG’s pressure to extend the lead. Vitinha shows a bit of frustration with a long-range effort that never looks dangerous as it flies wide.

75'

THE PRESSURE CONTINUES

Kvaratskhelia takes a shot from range that almost deflects into the path of one of his teammates in the box, but drifts behind for a corner. Villa defend the corner well once again.

72'

DOUBLE CHANGE FOR PSG

The excellent Doué and Ruiz go off, with PSG bringing on yet more attacking options in the shape of Warren Zaïre-Emery and Bradley Barcola.

70'

OFFSIDE FLAG SAVES VILLA

Hakimi is played through down the right and he carries the ball into the box, shooting through Martínez and into the back of the net. It’s poor goalkeeping, but the Villa stopper gets a reprieve as the offside flag goes up. Hakimi was marginally off.

68'

GAME OPENS UP

Villa break and Rashford goes down looking for a penalty as his options dry up. PSG immediately launch a counter of their own, and white shirts stream back to get 11 men behind the ball again as quickly as possible.

64'

VILLA DEFENDING DEEP

It looks like a 6-3-1 formation for Villa out of possession right now, sat deep in their own half and looking to avoid damage in this first leg. Returning to England with a chance to progress would have been the aim for tonight, and that’s what Villa have right now.

61'

PSG WANT A PENALTY

The PSG players appeal for a penalty as a sliding Kamara handles the ball unintentionally while blocking a cross. It is checked by VAR but no penalty is the ruling.

59'

CHANGE FOR VILLA

Asensio comes on for Aston Villa against the club whom he is on loan from. The UEFA rules means he’s allowed to feature in this match and he will have a huge point to prove. He replaces Ramsey, who isn’t happy about being withdrawn.

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