Paris Saint-Germain is in a commanding position to reach the Champions League semifinals after a 3-1 win over Aston Villa in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Wednesday.
A thrilling display at the Parc des Princes saw Khvicha Kvaratskhelia deliver one of the competition’s finest goals, as PSG came from behind to take a crucial two-goal advantage into the return leg in Birmingham next week.
Villa initially silenced the home crowd when Morgan Rogers put them 1-0 up in the 35th minute. But PSG quickly responded through a well-taken strike by Desire Doue, ensuring they were level at the break.
In the second half, Kvaratskhelia took control of the game, delivering a brilliant strike just four minutes after the restart, stunning Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Nuno Mendes sealed the win with a vital third in stoppage time, leaving PSG with the upper hand going into the second leg.
Villa, led by coach Unai Emery, now face an uphill battle to make it to the semifinals for the first time since 1982. Despite the challenge, they will look to draw inspiration from Emery’s past encounters with Luis Enrique in the Champions League, notably a historic 4-0 first-leg defeat of Barcelona in 2017, which ended in heartbreak for PSG.
As the match unfolded, Villa’s defensive approach was undone by PSG’s relentless attack, with Kvaratskhelia and Mendes proving to be the difference-makers. PSG’s victory also comes despite missing captain Marquinhos and the surprise omission of Bradley Barcola from the starting lineup.
With a remarkable comeback needed from Villa next week, PSG will be looking to continue their Champions League journey under Luis Enrique, who is determined to deliver the club’s first-ever European crown.
