Aston Villa vs PSG: Champions League Preview

First Leg Recap

Despite taking the lead through Morgan Rogers in the French capital, Villa were undone by moments of brilliance from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, before Nuno Mendes added a third in stoppage time to give PSG breathing space heading into the return leg.

The scoreline leaves the English side in a challenging position, with history not on their side: they have been eliminated in each of their previous two European knockout ties when losing the first leg by two or more goals.

Recent Form

Aston Villa

• Responded well at the weekend with a 3-0 win over Southampton, featuring goals from Ollie Watkins, John McGinn, and Donyell Malen.
• Are unbeaten in their last 17 matches at Villa Park across all competitions.
• Scored 2+ goals in 7 of their last 8 home games.
• Emery has won 11 of his last 13 home matches in European competition.

Paris Saint-Germain

• Enjoyed a weekend off due to Ligue 1’s scheduling, having already wrapped up the 2024-25 title with six matches to spare.
• Riding a remarkable run of 16 consecutive away wins across all competitions.
• Came through a penalty shootout against Liverpool in the previous knockout round after a second-leg defeat.

Head-to-Head & Historical Context

This is the first-ever Champions League knockout tie between the two clubs. However, the spotlight is as much on PSG’s history as it is on Villa’s challenge. The Parisiens have previously squandered leads of two or more goals on three separate occasions in Champions League knockout history. No team has ever done so four times, so history is at stake in more ways than one.

Tactical Themes and Players to Watch

• Vitinha controlled the midfield in the first leg with 148 completed passes, setting a new PSG record for a Champions League match.
• Ousmane Dembele has been PSG’s star performer this season with 42 goal contributions in 41 games, making him the focal point once again.
• Ollie Watkins, rested for the first leg and impressive against Southampton, is expected to start and lead the line for Villa.
• Emery’s tactical tweaks, including bringing scorers off the bench at the weekend, hint at a refreshed and determined starting XI.

Team News

Aston Villa

• Only injury absentee: Leon Bailey, who is nearing a return but will not start.
• Likely returns to the XI include Pau Torres, Lucas Digne, and Boubacar Kamara.
• Watkins, McGinn, and Malen are all in contention to start following their goal-scoring displays over the weekend.

Paris Saint-Germain

• Marquinhos returns from suspension and is expected to reclaim his place from Lucas Beraldo.
• No fresh injury concerns, with Luis Enrique expected to field a similar XI from the first leg.
• Dembele, Kvaratskhelia, and Doue remain key attacking outlets.