A dominant PSG got here again from a purpose down to say a two-goal benefit over Aston Villa within the first-leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Morgan Rogers had given Unai Emery’s facet a shock lead at a raucous Parc des Princes however chic targets from Want Doue, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Nuno Mendes accomplished the comeback for the Ligue 1 champions.
Villa, whose run of seven successive victories in all competitions got here to an finish, may have few complaints in regards to the scoreline as Luis Enrique’s group, breath-taking at occasions, had been spectacular all through.
Emery’s males nonetheless have a shot at development to the final 4 of Europe’s elite membership competitors, however it should require a monumental effort at Villa Park subsequent week.
La première manche est pour nous ! 🔴🔵
🔜 Rendez-vous mardi prochain à Villa Park ! 👊ICI C’EST PARIS !!!#PSGAVFC 3-1 | @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/gJuxi54vNf
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) April 9, 2025
Loud boos rang across the stadium for Villa keeper Emi Martinez, who was yesterday noticed sporting a cap exhibiting off Argentina’s World Cup overcome France.
And the shot-stopper needed to be available early on to cease Vitinha’s tame effort earlier than being referred to as upon moments later when he pulled off a powerful save to show away Ousmane Dembele’s left-footed strike.
PSG confirmed their intent instantly, asserting their dominance from the off.
Villa, in the meantime, struggled to get out of their very own half and it regarded like Emery’s gamers might be in for an extended night time. However on 34-minutes, the guests sourced an unlikely lead.
John McGinn received again possession in the midst of the pitch earlier than feeding Marcus Rashford. The Manchester United loanee performed in Youri Tielemans whose pushed cross throughout the field discovered Rogers and the England midfielder stroked the ball residence.
The lead was to final lower than 5 minutes, nonetheless. Martinez clawed the ball off the road and from the ensuing brief nook, Doue lower in from the left earlier than unleashing an exquisite curling strike that rifled into the online by way of the underside of the crossbar.
It was a second of magic from the fledgling teenager, whose surname means ‘gifted’ in French, sparking wild scenes among the many residence followers.
PSG degree the sport up!
That end from Désiré Doué is out of this world 💫
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/NtPzW2cYgL
— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) April 9, 2025
Villa had been maybe lucky to be on degree phrases at half-time, however simply 4 minutes after the break, the PSG comeback was full when Kvaratskhelia turned half-time substitute Axel Disasi inside out earlier than arrowing an effort excessive into the purpose.
It set the tone for the rest of the second-half. The hosts in complete management and continually threatening the Villa purpose.
On 70-minutes, Achraf Hakimi had the ball within the web after a neat alternate with Kvaratskhelia. However the Moroccan full-back was adjudged to have been offside and Villa had been spared from going additional behind.
Emery launched Ollie Watkins and PSG loanee Marco Asensio to attempt to bolster the guests’ attacking choices however PSG remained within the driving seat.
Then got here the killer blow in second-half stoppage time. Mendes, up from left-back, was discovered by Dembele earlier than chopping again inside, wrong-footing Ezri Konsa and Martinez within the course of, earlier than tucking the ball away to make it three.
