Aston Villa's stunning comeback fell just short as they beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 on Tuesday but lost their quarter-final tie 5-4 on aggregate in a Champions League classic. Villa's efforts to overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit got off to a poor start when Achraf Hakimi pounced on a mix-up between Emi Martinez and Pau Torres in the 11th minute, and the tie seemed out of reach when Nuno Mendes fired a well-hit shot in off the post just before the half-hour mark as the French champions bypassed Villa's press with ease.
The Villans were given hope 11 minutes before the break when Youri Tielemans' shot took a cruel deflection off Willian Pacho to beat Gianluigi Donnarumma, and they got a further spark early in the second period when captain John McGinn drove more than 40 yards with the ball and then curled an effort, which took another slight deflection off Pacho, into the top corner. The roof nearly lifted off Villa Park two minutes later when Ezri Konsa swept the ball into the corner following a brilliant dribbling run from Marcus Rashford, and PSG were well and truly rattled.
Had it not been for the excellent Donnarumma then Rashford, Tielemans, and substitute Marco Asensio would have added to Villa's goal tally. Ian Maatsen also had a shot cleared off the line by Pacho at the death, but in the end PSG survived an almighty scare to progress to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
PSG advanced to the Champions League semi-finals after a narrow aggregate win against Aston Villa on April 15, 2025. The French side held a 3-1 lead from the first leg, which took place on April 9, 2025. Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes scored in the first half for PSG, while Villa fought back with goals from Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, and Ezri Konsa.
Hakimi opened the scoring in the 11th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error. Mendes doubled the lead with a powerful strike that hit the post and went in, making it 5-1 on aggregate at that point. However, Villa's resilience shone through as they clawed back into the match.
Villa's first goal came from Tielemans in the 34th minute, and the crowd erupted as McGinn scored shortly after halftime to bring the score to 2-2 on the night. Konsa's goal just two minutes later made it 3-2, igniting hopes of a miraculous comeback.
Throughout the match, Villa's players showed tremendous spirit and determination, pushing PSG to their limits. Rashford was particularly instrumental, providing key assists and creating numerous scoring opportunities. Despite Villa's late pressure, PSG's goalkeeper Donnarumma made crucial saves that kept his team in the lead.
Villa's efforts were commendable, and they exposed some weaknesses in PSG's defense that their semi-final opponents may look to exploit. The match showcased the fighting spirit of the Villans, who have exceeded expectations in their first Champions League campaign. They had previously won eight of their twelve games in this tournament, proving themselves to be a formidable force.
Unai Emery's side had made history by reaching the quarter-finals, and despite their exit, they can hold their heads high after such a spirited performance against one of Europe's elite clubs. The atmosphere at Villa Park was electric, with fans rallying behind their team, and the players responded with a display that will be remembered for years to come.
As the final whistle blew, the score read Aston Villa 3, Paris Saint-Germain 2, but the aggregate score was 5-4 in favor of PSG. The Villans' dreams of progressing to the semi-finals were dashed, but their journey in this year's Champions League has laid a strong foundation for future success.
Villa Park witnessed a thrilling encounter that will be talked about for a long time. The players and fans alike will reflect on this remarkable campaign with pride, looking forward to the next season with renewed ambition and determination to qualify again for Europe's top competition. The lessons learned from this match will undoubtedly help shape the team's future strategies as they continue to build on their success under the guidance of Emery.
