After coming back to beat Liverpool in the last round of the UEFA Champions League, PSG once again kept their nerve, overturned a first-half/first-leg deficit and now they hold a 3-1 advantage over Aston Villa heading into next week’s second leg.
MORE — Full Champions League schedule
Just as they did in the first leg against Liverpool, PSG dominated proceedings from start to finish and looked every bit the European champion contenders they have grown to become — only this time, they managed to score and take control of the tie at home. Aston Villa had just two shots in the first half (one from inside 40 yards), yet they found themselves ahead after Morgan Rogers finished a sweeping counter-attack in the 35th minute. To that point, Unai Emery’s side had executed the perfect game plan away from home.
The lead last just four minutes, though, as 19-year-old Desire Doue continued his ascendancy to stardom with a sensational strike from near the corner of the penalty area. Doue cut inside past Rogers, who was back deep to defend, and uncorked a curler that clanged off the underside of the crossbar and in.
Four minutes into the second half, another spectacular solo effort — this one by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia — put PSG ahead. Kvaratskhelia twisted and turned Axel Disasi every which way before hammering a high shot past Emiliano Martinez at the near post and PSG looked like they might score another two or three the way they were going. Somehow, Villa managed to not concede another for more than 40 minutes, which made Nuno Mendes’ stoppage-time goal all the more painful. 3-1 still manages to flatter Villa a great deal, but 2-1 would have been an inspiring result for them to take back to England.
Player ratings - PSG vs Aston Villa
What’s next?
- Southampton vs Aston Villa — Saturday, 10 am ET
- Aston Villa vs PSG — Tuesday, April 15, 3 pm ET (second leg)
How to watch PSG vs Aston Villa live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Wednesday (April 9)
Venue: Parc des Princes — Paris, France
TV/Streaming: Paramount+
PSG vs Aston Villa live updates - Andy Edwards
PSG vs Aston Villa final score: 3-1
Goalscorers: Morgan Rogers (35'), Desire Doue (39'), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (49'), Nuno Mendes (90'+2)
GOAL! PSG 3-1 Aston Villa: Mendes cuts inside and scores in stoppage time (90'+2)
Nuno Mendes completes the hat-trick of superb goals for PSG 💫 pic.twitter.com/njcFDXl2sE
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 9, 2025
GOAL! PSG 2-1 Aston Villa: Kvaratskhelia twists and turns and fires home (49')
SENSATIONAL STRIKE FROM KHVICHA KVARATSKHELIA 🤯 pic.twitter.com/Wh7jLwwcmo
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 9, 2025
GOAL! PSG 1-1 Aston Villa: Doue hits back with a stunning curler (40')
AN ABSOLUTE ROCKET FROM 19 YEAR-OLD DÉSIRÉ DOUÉ 🚀 pic.twitter.com/rq1yjZb1mk
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 9, 2025
GOAL! PSG 0-1 Aston Villa: Rogers slots home Tielemans’ cross (35')
MORGAN ROGERS SILENCES PARC DES PRINCES 🤫🔥 pic.twitter.com/3HD7aoRX1g
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 9, 2025
PSG starting lineup
Donnarumma - Hakimi, Beraldo, Pacho, Mendes - Vitinha, Neves, Ruiz - Doue, Kvaratskhelia, Dembele
Aston Villa starting lineup
Martinez - Cash, Konsa, Torers, Digne - Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn - Rogers, Ramsey, Rashford
Unai Emery’s side are delighted to be in the last eight and these two games over the next week are Villa’s biggest in the last few decades. Period. Villa warmed up for this tie by beating Nottingham Forest 2-1 at home on Saturday as they’re back in the hunt for Champions League qualification in the Premier League as well as being in the FA Cup semifinals. With so many midfield and attacking options, Villa are a real handful and Emery’s experience as a master of European competitions will hold them in great stead against his former team PSG.
As for Les Parisiens, they wrapped up the French title at the weekend as Luis Enrique has constructed a well-oiled machine who have so far gone unbeaten in Ligue 1. Devoid of superstar individuals of the past, PSG still have so many wonderful talents but now it’s all about the team. They flow and move as one and their pressing and energy is relentless. After beating Liverpool on penalty kicks in the last 16 to reach this stage, PSG will be full of confidence and will be looking to blow Villa away and end the tie in the first leg in the French capital.
PSG team news, focus
There have been no big injuries for PSG to deal with and they’ve won Ligue 1 at a canter so all of their focus has been on the Champions League for some time. Midfield is crucial to how they play with Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz and youngster Zaire-Emery all classy operators on the ball and PSG will dominate possession and push Villa high and look to force mistakes. They do look vulnerable on the counter at times but the experience of Hakimi and Donnarumma is key, although PSG will be missing captain and star center back Marquinhos through suspension as Lucas Beraldo could come in to start. The one thing they’ve struggled with at times during this European campaign is not being clinical in the final third. They’ll need Dembele, Barcola, Doue and Co. to be ruthless in this first leg.
OUT: Kang in-Lee (foot), Marquinhos (suspension)
Aston Villa team news, focus
Villa have close to a fully-fit squad to choose from and that perhaps explains their superb form across three competitions in recent weeks. With the additions of Rashford, Malen and Asensio in the winter window they’ve jet-propelled their attack at the perfect time. Emery knows exactly how to set up his teams for big away ties in Europe and it makes sense for Rashford, Watkins and Rogers to start this one to give Villa a threat on the counter. Getting the balance right in midfield will be key and Tielemans, Kamara and McGinn should start but don’t be surprised if Onana comes in to give them extra defensive solidity.
QUESTIONABLE: Ross Barkley (calf), Leon Bailey (knock)
PSG vs Aston Villa prediction
This feels like the first 30 minutes will be key and if Villa can hang in there they will enjoy frustrating PSG. That said, this is a big step up for Villa and PSG should do some damage. PSG 3-1 Aston Villa.
