Paris Saint-Germain delivered a masterclass in resilience and attacking flair to secure a commanding 3-1 first-leg victory over Aston Villa in their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal clash at the Parc des Princes. A late goal by Nuno Mendes deepened Villa’s wounds, leaving Unai Emery’s side with a mountain to climb in next week’s return leg. Here’s a breakdown of the drama, key moments, and what lies ahead for both teams.
The match began with PSG dominating possession (75.4%) and peppering Villa’s goal with 29 shots, showcasing their technical superiority and high-pressing intensity.
Against the tide of PSG’s dominance, Villa capitalized on a rare error. Nuno Mendes lost possession in midfield, allowing John McGinn to intercept and launch a counterattack. Youri Tielemans’ pinpoint cross found Rogers unmarked at the far post, who tapped in calmly to silence the Parc des Princes.
The goal marked Rogers’ 11th goal involvement in 14 starts, underscoring his rising influence.
PSG’s teenage sensation Doué restored parity just four minutes later. Cutting inside from the left, he unleashed a curling strike from 20 yards that sailed over Emiliano Martínez and crashed in off the crossbar. The 19-year-old continued his breakout season, now with 13 goal involvements in his last 12 games.
Four minutes after halftime, Kvaratskhelia put PSG ahead with a trademark solo effort. The Georgian winger tormented substitute Axel Disasi, nutmegging the defender before rifling a near-post shot past Martínez. The goal made him the first Georgian to reach 10 Champions League goal involvements.
In stoppage time, Mendes redeemed his earlier error by sealing PSG’s win. After a quick interchange with Ousmane Dembélé, the left-back cut inside Ezri Konsa and slotted past Martínez, who could only watch as the ball nestled into the roof of the net.
Doué, Kvaratskhelia, and Dembélé (who created nine chances, a PSG UCL record) overwhelmed Villa’s defense with pace and creativity.
Despite conceding three, Villa’s goalkeeper made eight saves, including denying Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi in one-on-one situations.
The visitors struggled to contain PSG’s width, with Disasi’s halftime introduction failing to stem the tide.
The PSG manager praised his team’s mentality but refused to label his side as favorites: “What does ‘favourites’ mean? We must win in Birmingham. We don’t know how to play defensively; our identity is to attack”
Emery remained defiant despite the late goal: “The result isn’t the best, but it’s not the worst. We need to win at Villa Park, and we believe we can.” He emphasized Villa’s need to “win more duels” in the second leg.
The Parisians are now heavy favorites (91.5% chance per Opta) to advance, having beaten three Premier League sides (Man City, Liverpool, Villa) in a single UCL campaign—a rare feat matched only by Bayern, Barcelona, and Real Madrid.
Facing a 3-1 deficit, Villa must win by two goals at home to force extra time. Their task is daunting, but Rogers insisted, “We’ve got the quality to turn things around”
PSG’s victory underscored their evolution under Luis Enrique—a blend of youthful exuberance and tactical discipline. For Villa, the dream of a historic semifinal berth remains alive, but their resolve will be tested against a Parisian side hungry for European glory. As the teams prepare for a seismic clash at Villa Park, one thing is certain: this tie is far from over.
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