PSG vs Aston Villa - LIVE!
Nuno Mendes struck in stoppage-time to cement PSG’s control of their Champions League quarter-final tie with a 3-1 win over Aston Villa in Paris..
It was Unai Emery’s side, though, who took a shock lead against the run of play, as John McGinn won the ball back, Youri Tielemans played it across the face of goal and Morgan Rogers was there at the back post to provide the finish touch. But the lead did not last even five minutes, as Doue cut onto his right foot and curled a sensational finish into the far corner, off the underside of the bar.
PSG then completed the turnaround early in the second period after another moment of individual inspiration. Kvaratskhelia dragged the ball past Axel Disasi in the box and then squeezed in a wonderful strike at the near post past Emi Martinez. The hosts pushed for a third to really take control of the tie and were held at bay until the final seconds, when Ousmane Dembele played Mendes in and he cooly chopped inside, sitting down Martinez and lifting a finish into the empty net.
PSG vs Aston Villa latest news
- GOAL! Mendes adds third in stoppage-time
- GOAL! Kvaratskhelia completes turnaround
- GOAL! Doue levels with stunner
- GOAL! Rogers scores against run of play
FT: PSG 3-1 Aston Villa
21:53 , Matt VerriPSG in control of this tie at halfway.
3-1 is no more than they deserved, they were by far the better team.
Aston Villa need something very special next week.
GOAL! PSG 3-1 Aston Villa | Nuno Mendes 90+2'
21:51 , Matt VerriHUGE GOAL!
Dembele opens up the Villa defence and Mendes is clean through.
Sits down the defender by chopping back onto his right foot, Martinez has committed and Mendes lifts it into the empty net.
PSG 2-1 Aston Villa
21:50 , Matt Verri90 mins: Three minutes added on. That will suit Villa just fine.
Saying that, Rogers works space for the shot and curls it high and wide... not a bad effort on the swivel though.
PSG 2-1 Aston Villa
21:48 , Matt Verri88 mins: Pacho with a great ball over the top, Barcola quick enough to keep it in.
Pulled back to Zaire-Emery, brilliant block from Torres to deny him.
PSG 2-1 Aston Villa
21:44 , Matt Verri84 mins: PSG happy to pass it side to side for two or three minutes in the Villa half, waiting for the opening.
At the moment, there’s a bit of a feeling that both sides are happy for it to finish like this.
PSG 2-1 Aston Villa
21:40 , Matt Verri81 mins: Already more intent from Villa to get up the pitch after those changes. Watkins standing right on the centre-backs.
Asensio with the shot from 20 yards out, deflected just wide.
PSG 2-1 Aston Villa
21:38 , Matt Verri79 mins: Vitinha gets bored of all the passing in the Villa half, hammers an effort at goal from 30 yards out. Dragged wide.
McGinn, Rashford and Tielemans all off for Villa. Onana, Watkins and Maatsen introduced.
PSG 2-1 Aston Villa
21:35 , Matt Verri75 mins: PSG again patient on the edge of the box, before Kvaratskhelia’s effort is deflected wide.
Villa are 15 minutes away from what would be a really impressive result, considering how this match has gone.
PSG 2-1 Aston Villa
21:32 , Matt Verri72 mins: Rare Villa attack and there’s space for Rogers on the edge of the area.
Tries to curl it into the far corner, but that’s a comfortable save.
GOOO... OFFSIDE!
21:30 , Matt VerriDembele flicks through a lovely pass to Hakimi, but he looks offside.
It’s a great finish through the legs of Martinez from a tight angle, but it won’t count. A yard off.
PSG 2-1 Aston Villa
21:28 , Matt Verri68 mins: Rashford with a lovely flop in the box, referee waves that away.
Space is opening up in this match. That’s not good news for Villa.
PSG 2-1 Aston Villa
21:25 , Matt Verri65 mins: Long spell of PSG possession, but it’s all in front of Villa.
Ten white shirts sitting deep in their own half, just trying to slow things down.
PSG 2-1 Aston Villa
21:21 , Matt Verri61 mins: VAR check for a penalty, PSG want one after Mendes cut inside and the ball hit an arm... but play is waved on.
Corner swung into the near post, flicked header claimed by Martinez.
PSG 2-1 Aston Villa
21:20 , Matt Verri60 mins: Asensio on against his parent club, replacing Ramsey.
Interesting that Emery has gone slightly more attacking. Feels like Villa could do with another seven defenders.
PSG 2-1 Aston Villa
21:18 , Matt Verri58 mins: Kvaratskhelia is putting on a show.
Flicks the ball away from McGinn and sets Doue away down the left. Ends up with Hakimi skipping into space, shot blocked.
PSG are running riot in attack. So direct whenever they get the ball.
PSG 2-1 Aston Villa
21:14 , Matt Verri55 mins: The visitors cannot keep the ball. Not getting a second to breathe.
This is more like it, Rashford has space on the left. But Doue is back, Rashford surrounded by three blue shirts and loses it.
PSG 2-1 Aston Villa
21:11 , Matt Verri52 mins: Villa are hanging on for dear life.
Parc des Princes is bouncing, PSG full of confidence and they look like scoring with every attack.
Would be a brilliant result if Villa can get out of here only 2-1 down.
GOAL! PSG 2-1 Aston Villa | Khvicha Kvaratskhelia 49'
21:09 , Matt VerriABSOLUTELY SENSATIONAL!
PSG’s forwards are putting on a show tonight. WOW.
Kvaratskhelia picks it up ten yards inside the Villa half, drags it past Disasi as he drives into the box and LASHES a strike past Martinez at the near post.
In off the woodwork. Too good.
PSG 1-1 Aston Villa
21:08 , Matt Verri48 mins: Already a couple of blocked shots from Dembele in this half, PSG straight back on the front foot.
So important that Villa find a way to keep the ball, even if it’s only for 30 seconds or so.
Back underway!
21:04 , Matt VerriUp and running again in Paris.
Disasi on at the break for Cash, who was booked in the first-half.
Huge moment for Villa!
21:01 , Matt VerriFair to say the away fans enjoyed this.
Villa had largely been pinned back in their own half, but this was a lovely move to leave Rogers free to finish at the back post.
ASTON VILLA STRIKE FIRST! 🤯
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 9, 2025
Morgan Rogers is at the back post to finish off a ruthless counter-attack ⭐
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/qvadIy7v3D
How PSG levelled...
20:54 , Matt VerriWe saw some very special goals last night in the Champions League, and here’s another one.
Doue was off balance as he curled this stunning strike into the far corner.
PSG level the game up!
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 9, 2025
That finish from Désiré Doué is out of this world 💫
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/NtPzW2cYgL
HT: PSG 1-1 Aston Villa
20:49 , Matt VerriAnd that is half-time.
PSG started well, finished it well... but they are only level.
Rogers gave Villa the lead against the run of play, before Doue’s stunning equaliser got the hosts going again.
PSG 1-1 Aston Villa
20:47 , Matt Verri45 mins: Two minutes added on.
Villa absolutely desperate for half-time. Doue is running them ragged.
PSG 1-1 Aston Villa
20:45 , Matt Verri43 mins: Villa are rocking.
Doue skips past Cash on the inside, lashes an effort at goal that Martinez parries away.
Comes back to the Frenchman, off balance and he slices the left-footed strike wide this time.
PSG 1-1 Aston Villa
20:43 , Matt Verri41 mins: Rashford on the break for Villa, gets to the byline and tries to poke the ball back, but Neves is there to mop up.
This match has burst into life.
GOAL! PSG 1-1 Aston Villa | Desire Doue 39'
20:41 , Matt VerriRIDICULOUS!
No keeping that one out!
Doue has just scored a stunning goal, curled into the top corner and there is nobody in the world saving that.
Was falling off balance, but the ball flies in off the underside of the bar.
PSG 0-1 Aston Villa
20:40 , Matt Verri39 mins: Martinez... just keeps it out!
Doue with the shot, goalkeeper spills it and somehow swivels in time to scoop it away, just as the ball was about to roll over the line.
PSG 0-1 Aston Villa
20:38 , Matt Verri36 mins: Well then!
PSG will have to play with a bit more tempo now. Villa swiftly back into their shape, everyone behind the ball.
GOAL! PSG 0-1 Aston Villa | Morgan Rogers 35'
20:36 , Matt VerriOUT OF NOTHING!
Incredible. Villa get away down the left, ball is played across the face of goal and Rogers stays composed at the back post to fire in the opener!
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
20:32 , Matt Verri31 mins: Not a huge amount of pace in the match.
PSG very patient on the ball, Aston Villa content to just keep it on the rare occasions they’ve won it back.
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
20:28 , Matt Verri27 mins: Another PSG corner coming up, as Mendes’ shot is deflected behind.
Kvaratskhelia takes it short, eventually swung in by Dembele and Villa deal with it.
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
20:26 , Matt Verri25 mins: Well... optimistic doesn’t do this justice.
McGinn is 40 yards out and decides he has that in the locker. It’s 40 yards wide and maybe 30 yards high.
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
20:24 , Matt Verri23 mins: Ramsey down for Villa but play waved on.
Visitors are a bit exposed at the back, as Vitinha lines up a shot and fires over from the edge of the area. Martinez was at full stretch.
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
20:21 , Matt Verri20 mins: Doue flicks the ball away from Digne, who can only hack him down.
These Villa full-backs are not having much fun out there.
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
20:18 , Matt Verri17 mins: Konsa caught on the ball and Cash can only drag Kvaratskhelia down to stop the counter. Yellow card for the full-back and he’s got a long night ahead of him now.
Kvaratskhelia needs a bit of treatment after that. Nothing the magic spray can’t fix.
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
20:17 , Matt Verri15 mins: Hakimi in behind, Martinez off his line to smother the effort from a tight angle. Linesman says corner, referee says goal-kick... corner eventually given.
And then changed back to a goal-kick. Got the right decision eventually.
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
20:14 , Matt Verri13 mins: McGinn wins a free-kick on the halfway line, and Villa take about a minute over this. Up go the defenders eventually.
Tielemans floats it long into the box, Donnarumma not convincing in flying off his line to palm it away but it just about gets the job done.
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
20:11 , Matt Verri10 mins: Kvaratskhelia twists and turns past Cash, ball drops for Mendes and his shot is charged down.
It’s relentless from PSG. Not sure Villa have left their half yet.
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
20:09 , Matt Verri7 mins: Villa being put under real pressure early in this match. Dembele bursts down the right and wins a corner for the hosts.
Kvaratskhelia goes down in the box, changes his mind and gets back up, before having a shot blocked.
VAR checking, play waved on. Very honest from the PSG winger.
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
20:06 , Matt Verri5 mins: Martinez called into action for the first time... it won’t be the last.
Ball played back to Vitinha, low strike from 20 yards out is comfortably claimed by the Villa goalkeeper.
PSG 0-0 Aston Villa
20:04 , Matt Verri2 mins: No surprise that it’s PSG dominating the ball. Ramsey dropping really deep for Villa, almost as a left wing-back.
McGinn and Rashford through the middle, with Rogers on the right. Near enough a back six.
Dembele still finds room for a shot from 25 yards out, sliced it high and wide.
KICK-OFF!
20:01 , Matt VerriWe’re up and running in Paris!
Here we go...
19:57 , Matt VerriLight show done, pyrotechnics going off everywhere. That’s all wrapped up, players are out onto the pitch.
PSG absolutely battered Liverpool in terms of the stats in their last Champions League match here, only to lose 1-0.
Need to be more clinical here.
Not long now!
19:52 , Matt VerriWarm-ups done. Prince William was in the tunnel, greeting each of the Aston Villa players as they jogged back to the dressing room.
Just a few minutes now until both teams are back in the tunnel and getting ready to walk out.
Emery's pre-match thoughts
19:46 , Matt VerriUnai Emery has been speaking ahead of his kick-off, urging them to be intelligent and emphasising that whatever happens tonight, it’s only the halfway stage of the tie.
“Play to win, play intelligently,” Emery says of the gameplan.
“Compete, trying to get our best. When we can dominate and get into the box, be clinical and be aggressive in our capacity to beat them.
“Play this first leg... this match is not going to be finished today, hopefully.”
Speaking of...
19:41 , Matt VerriAnd here is Martinez’s reception as he came out for the warm-ups.
Just wait until the time-wasting starts, should Aston Villa take the lead.
"I genuinely think he loves it." 🤣
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 9, 2025
Emi Martinez is booed as he enters the Parc des Princes pitch 👀
🎙 @ReshminTV | 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/144sUB6f9s
Martinez not a popular man in Paris
19:33 , Matt VerriEmi Martinez, as ever, has been on the wind-up.
He was pictured this week wearing a cap with a a French cockerel on, alongside pictures of the titles he has won with Argentina.
Martinez played a crucial role as Argentina beat France in the World Cup final in 2022, and he’s keen to ensure Les Blues’ fans remember it.
Expect some boos tonight.
Enrique eyeing more of the same!
19:25 , Matt VerriWe mentioned that Barcelona 6-1 PSG match earlier, when Unai Emery and Luis Enrique were in the dugouts.
Fair to say it’s slightly happier memories for Enrique than it is Emery...
Luis Enrique reminisces on 'La Remontada' and the special Champions League night where he last faced Unai Emery 💥 pic.twitter.com/CZ7q7SLG5n
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 9, 2025
Emery: Rashford smiling is the best news we can have
19:14 , Matt VerriUnai Emery was asked about Marcus Rashford at his pre-match press conference, and he emphasised his desire to have the Aston Villa forward “smiling” as much as possible.
"He is a good guy, he is humble, he is a very good professional player, he is really happy with his team-mates, he has been demanding himself in everything,” Emery said.
"We are trying to connect with him as a person firstly, and after that to connect with him as a player. His process here is getting better as well. He is playing in two different positions, he started as a left winger, now he is playing more as a striker.
"We are seeing him smiling, it is the best news we can have. I am seeing him happy, I am seeing him committed with everything we are doing."
In the building!
19:05All smiles in the Aston Villa camp as they stroll into the Parc des Princes...
Pullin' up to the Parc des Princes 😃 pic.twitter.com/OUuL3uwqzY
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) April 9, 2025
PSG team news
18:55 , Matt VerriStarting XI: Donnarumma, Hakimi, Beraldo, Pacho, Mendes, Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz, Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Subs: Safonov, Tenas, Kimpembe, Ramos, Lee, Hernandez, Mayulu, Barcola, Zaire-Emery, Mbaye
Rashford leads the line
18:52 , Matt VerriMarcus Rashford up front for Aston Villa tonight, with Ollie Watkins on the bench.
Morgan Rogers, John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey as the three behind him - fair to say the visitors are prioritising keeping it solid in Paris.
Aston Villa team news
18:47 , Matt VerriStarting XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Pau, Digne, Kamara, Tielemans, Rogers, McGinn, Ramsey, Rashford
Subs: Olsen, Proctor, Mings, Disasi, Maatsen, Bogarde, Onana, Barkley, Asensio, Watkins.
Stand by...
18:40 , Matt VerriTeam news from Paris should be coming up in the next five minutes or so.
No shortage of options for Unai Emery, particularly in forward areas.
Not long until we find out what he’s opted for...
Emery and Enrique do battle again
18:32 , Matt VerriUnai Emery and Luis Enrique were in the dugout on a remarkable Champions League night eight years ago.
Emery was in the PSG camp, Enrique in charge of Barcelona, as the French side travelled to the Nou Camp having won the first leg 4-0.
So far, so good... until PSG collapsed in dramatic fashion and Barcelona won 6-1 on home soil to complete a stunning comeback.
"Luis Enrique is one of the best coaches in the world. He showed it with Barcelona, the Spain national team, Celta Vigo and now here,” Emery said this week.
"I have faced him a lot of times. It is difficult tactically against him to impose what we want but we must try.
"He is very demanding with how he creates his teams. They are very good in how they press and keeping ball possession. They are very aggressive and intense.
"I can learn from other coaches and he always does something astute tactically, but we must have a plan ourselves. Hopefully this will be a good match and we do our best for Aston Villa."
PSG ready for shot at glory?
18:24 , Matt VerriPSG couldn’t win the Champions League with Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar up front, but could this be the year?
The French side only finished 15th in the league phase, losing to Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich, but they have clicked into gear since then.
Brest were demolished 10-0 on aggregate in the knockout play-off round, before PSG then won on the night at Anfield and knocked Liverpool out on penalties.
Path to the final
18:15 , Matt VerriThe winner of this tie will face either Arsenal or Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
Right now, it’s very much the Gunners in pole position to reach the last-four, after their sensational 3-0 win over Carlo Ancelotti’s side last night.
Declan Rice had a decent night...
Enrique 'delighted' Asensio can face PSG
18:07 , Matt VerriMarco Asensio is on loan at Aston Villa from PSG, but he is available to face his parent club tonight.
Luis Enrique was asked about that at his pre-match press conference, and spoke glowingly about a player he also worked with during his time as Spain boss.
"I am delighted he can play," Enrique said.
"He wasn't getting the game time he wanted here and he had the opportunity to go to Birmingham. It is good that he is playing.
"I have shared a lot with him with the national team. He came to the World Cup with me and was very important, and he was important for us last season and at the start of this season. He is a top-class player."
Standard Sport prediction
18:00 , Matt VerriWith just one loss since November, it is difficult to see this match going against the hosts. Aston Villa proved with their narrow home win over Bayern Munich in the league phase that they are capable of pulling off an upset, but PSG at the Parc des Princes may prove too big an ask for Emery and his men.
While Villa are in a rich vein of form, unbeaten since late February, they will struggle to match the newly crowned French champions. It may be a case of simply limiting damage in the first leg before fighting back next week in front of a home crowd.
PSG 3-0 Aston Villa
Aston Villa team news
17:53 , Matt VerriAston Villa have a near-spotless bill of health.
Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey had been injured, though both have returned to training and are being assessed ahead of the match.
Barkley has been struggling with a calf issue since January and will not feature, but the nature of Bailey’s injury has not been specified.
PSG team news
17:45 , Matt VerriPSG have Lee Kang-In as the only injury absence.
Marquinhos is suspended, however, after receiving a third yellow card of the campaign in the second leg against Liverpool. He will return for leg two of this tie at Villa Park.
Luis Enrique opted to rest a handful of starters including Ousmane Dembele, Joao Neves, and Nuno Mendes for Saturday’s Ligue 1 tie against Angers, meaning he will have fresh legs aplenty tonight.
How to watch PSG vs Aston Villa
17:36 , Matt VerriTV channel: In the UK, tonight’s game is being broadcast live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage beginning at 7pm BST ahead of an 8pm kick-off at the Parc des Princes in Paris.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also watch live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Good evening!
17:29 , Matt VerriHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of PSG vs Aston Villa!
It’s the first leg of this Champions League quarter-final tie, and Villa will be eyeing a positive result to take back to the Midlands for next week’s return fixture.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8pm BST from the Parc des Princes!
