Aston Villa hosts Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Villa Park tonight at 21:00 EAT in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final.
PSG is 3-1 up after a dominating first-leg performance at Parc des Princes.
⚔️ Head-to-Head Summary
Historically, clashes between PSG and Aston Villa have been few. Their last encounter before this match was a 1-1 stalemate in March 2024. PSG also won 3-0 in a 2022 friendly. Notably, Kylian Mbappé has found the net in all these recent encounters.
First Leg Recap
In the first half, Aston Villa struck early with Morgan Rogers. PSG responded with a strong 3-1 win through Désiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Nuno Mendes. PSG dominated with 76% possession and 29 shots, showing their attacking prowess.
Key Players to Watch
Aston Villa
- Ollie Watkins: Watkins is in top form and has been the difference for Villa in their recent wins.
- Marcus Rashford: The potential game-stopper, Rashford's quickness and cunning could trouble PSG's defense.
- Marco Asensio: Out on loan to Chelsea from PSG, Asensio scored twice at the Blues in February and will be looking to impress on home soil against his parent club.
Paris Saint-Germain
- Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: The Georgian winger has been a surprise package for PSG since his arrival, scoring in the first leg and adding energy to their attack.
- Ousmane Dembélé: In dazzling form, Dembélé has netted seven in his last six Champions League appearances.
- Kylian Mbappé: Always a threat, Mbappé's pace and close-range finishing make him a constant threat to any defense.
Tactical Insights
Aston Villa, under Unai Emery's management, will attempt to reverse the two-goal difference. Emery has prioritized a clear-cut plan and the potential effect of the home fans at Villa Park.
PSG, under the management of Luis Enrique, will aim to maintain their advantage while also protecting against complacency. Enrique reminded all of the need to stay focused, recalling how favorites have lost before.
Prediction
Given PSG's current performance and the advantage of the first leg, they are the favorites to qualify. However, Aston Villa's determination and home support may make this a challenging game.
Predicted Score: Aston Villa 1-2 PSG
Aggregate: Aston Villa 2-5 PSG
Sources and Further Reading:
- Aston Villa vs PSG predictions and betting tips – The Sun
- Luis Enrique on PSG's mindset – Reuters
- Unai Emery on his comeback experience – AS