Aston Villa vs PSG: Match Preview
Villa go into Villa Park needing to overturn a 3-1 deficit from the first leg in Paris. They took the lead early through Morgan Rogers but were then undone by PSG’s attacking prowess with goals from Desire Doue, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Nuno Mendes. Villa have never progressed from a European knockout tie after losing the first leg by two or more goals but their home form under Unai Emery (unbeaten in 17, 11 wins in last 13 European home games) gives them hope.
PSG are chasing an unbeaten league season and has a 16-match away winning streak. But they have a history of letting two-goal first-leg leads slip in Europe, having been eliminated three times before in such scenarios.
Team News & Tactics
Aston Villa:
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Only Leon Bailey is out injured; otherwise, Emery has a full squad.
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Expect a 4-2-3-1:
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Rogers, McGinn, Rashford; Watkins. -
Key players like Pau Torres, Lucas Digne, and Boubacar Kamara return to the XI.
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Villa will look to press, attack with width, and rely on Watkins’s movement and finishing.
Paris Saint-Germain:
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Fully fit squad: Marquinhos returns from suspension.
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Likely 4-3-3:
Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia -
PSG will aim to control possession, use their pace on the break, and exploit any gaps left by Villa’s attacking intent.
Key Stats
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Villa are unbeaten in their last 17 home matches in all competitions.
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PSG have won just 4 of 17 away games against English sides in Europe.
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PSG have previously lost three knockout ties after winning the first leg by 2+ goals.
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Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been in sensational form, scoring a crucial goal in the first leg.
Player to Watch
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (PSG):
His pace, dribbling, and end product on the counter could be decisive, especially as Villa push forward in search of goals.
Aston Villa vs PSG Prediction
Aston Villa 2-1 PSG (Villa win the second leg, but PSG advance 4-3 on aggregate)
Villa’s home form and fighting spirit should see them push PSG all the way and possibly win on the night. However, PSG’s attacking quality and two-goal cushion from the first leg should be enough to see them through to the semi-finals—though not without a scare.
Aston Villa vs PSG Live Stream
Watch online via NaijaSport247
