Tyrone Mings says 'big challenges' for Aston Villa still to come as they reach quarter-finals of UEFA Champions League

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Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings says it is important his team focus on the challenges to come after they reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. Villa face a crunch last-eight meeting with Paris Saint-Germain next month - live on TNT Sports and discovery+ - as well as a top-four battle in the Premier League and an FA Cup sixth round tie.

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Tyrone Mings said Aston Villa can enjoy reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League, but warns the team has "big challenges" to come in the final two months of the season.

Villa beat Club Brugge 3-0 at Villa Park on Wednesday night, winning 6-1 on aggregate to set up a meeting with Paris Saint-Germain in the last eight.

These are heady times for Villa, who are also battling for a top-four place in the Premier League and face an FA Cup sixth round tie at Preston. Defender Mings is certainly not getting carried away, however.

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"I know we've got through and stuff, but it really doesn't feel like we've achieved what we want to achieve this season," he told TNT Sports.

"Yeah, we can enjoy it by knowing that we've had a good two legs and knowing that we've got through to the next round, but we've got such big challenges to come. I don't think there will be too much excessive partying.

"It's good to dream and it's good to have aspirations, but there's no point worrying about that without the second train of thought, which is you have to take each game as it comes and play what's in front of you.

"I think it's very important that we do absolutely everything to qualify for the Champions League again next year, which means you either win it or finish fourth or fifth in the league. That is always our priority.

"Our goal is definitely to try and qualify for the Champions League again and to show a level of consistency in the Premier League that we maybe haven't yet found."

Mings reveals Emery message to Villa players after reaching quarter-finals

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Villa manager Unai Emery will now begin the immense task of preparing for PSG, with the first leg to come at the Parc des Princes.

Mings paid tribute to Emery after Wednesday's game, saying his experience remains vital for Villa.

"His experience is so valuable, the kind of anecdotes he gives us about being up in the first leg and losing it. All those things are so important to give us a reality check about how much work is still to be done," Mings said.

"He's reinforcing at the moment about how important Preston away is, our next game in the FA Cup. He's very much one game at a time.

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"He spoke after the game then, which he doesn't usually do, to say congratulations and we should be enjoying what we've achieved tonight and over the past few months, but he also reiterated that the last two months of the season have to be our best.

"It's a very tough game [against PSG] but, listen, we're so excited. Every game we play now comes with its own challenges. We'll go there and give a good account of ourselves and, listen, we're trying to win over two legs.

"We'll go there and enjoy every moment, but we've got a lot of firepower and a lot of quality in our own team as well, so I'm sure it will be a good game."

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