UEFA Champions League: Aston Villa Comeback Falls Just Short Against Paris Saint-Germain
Paris Saint-Germain booked their place in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, but not without surviving a major scare against a spirited Aston Villa side at a raucous Villa Park.
After securing a commanding 3-1 win in the first leg in Paris, the visitors appeared to have put the tie beyond reach by the half-hour mark in Birmingham. Goals from Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes gave PSG a 2-0 lead on the night and a 5-1 aggregate advantage.
Aston Villa Ignite the Comeback
But just when it looked like a formality, Unai Emery's men began to fight back with renewed belief. On 34 minutes, Youri Tielemans latched onto a loose ball and rifled it into the net to give the home fans hope and reduce the aggregate to 5-2.
The second half brought sheer chaos. John McGinn cut through the heart of midfield and unleashed a rocket from outside the area that flew past Gianluigi Donnarumma into the top corner. 2-2 on the night, 5-3 overall. Suddenly, it was game on.
Moments later, Ezri Konsa volleyed home from close range after Marcus Rashford dazzled down the right flank and delivered a pinpoint cross. Villa Park erupted. 3-2 to Villa, 5-4 to PSG on aggregate — and over 30 minutes still to play.
PSG Survive the Storm
Villa nearly completed the fairytale when Tielemans connected with a header that was destined for the far corner, only for Donnarumma to pull off a stunning save. The hosts threw everything forward as members of the Royal Family watched on from the stands, but PSG clung on.
It wasn’t the miracle comeback, but it was a performance that will be remembered at Villa Park for years. PSG, meanwhile, eliminated their second Premier League opponent of the knockout stages and now await the winner of Real Madrid vs Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals.
2024-25 UEFA Champions League
Aston Villa - PSG 3:2 (1:2)
Goals: Hakimi, 11 (0:1); Mendes N., 27 (0:2); Tielemans, 34 (1:2); McGinn J., 55 (2:2); Konsa, 58 (3:2)
Aston Villa: Martinez E.; Digne (Maatsen I., 76); Konsa; Onana A. (Ramsey J., 66); Torres Pau; Kamara B.; Cash; McGinn J. (Asensio, 66); Tielemans (Barkley, 88); Rogers M.; Rashford (Watkins, 76)
Bench: Olsen R.; Proctor; Disasi; Mings; Bogarde L.; Bailey
Yellow Cards: McGinn J. 42
PSG: Donnarumma G.; Marquinhos; Mendes N.; Hakimi; Vitinha F.; Kvaratskhelia; Neves J. P.; Pacho; Fabian Ruiz; Barcola B. (Doue D., 61); Dembele O.
Bench: Safonov M.; Tenas; Beraldo L.; Kimpembe; Lucas Hernandez; Zaire-Emery; Mayulu; Lee Kang-in; Mbaye; Ramos G.
