A dominant PSG got here again from a aim down to assert a two-goal benefit over Aston Villa within the first-leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Morgan Rogers had given Unai Emery’s aspect a shock lead at a raucous Parc des Princes however elegant objectives from Need 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, might have few complaints concerning the scoreline as Luis Enrique’s crew, breath-taking at instances, have 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 can 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 carrying a cap exhibiting off Argentina’s World Cup conquer France.
And the shot-stopper needed to be available early on to cease Vitinha’s tame effort earlier than being known as upon moments later when he pulled off a formidable 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 seemed like Emery’s gamers might be in for an extended night time. However on 34-minutes, the guests sourced an unlikely lead.
John McGinn gained again possession in the course 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 dwelling.
The lead was to final lower than 5 minutes, nonetheless. Martinez clawed the ball off the road and from the ensuing quick nook, Doue reduce in from the left earlier than unleashing a beautiful curling strike that rifled into the online through 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 dwelling followers.
PSG stage 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 have been maybe lucky to be on stage 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 aim.
It set the tone for the rest of the second-half. The hosts in whole management and consistently threatening the Villa aim.
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 have been spared from going additional behind.
Emery launched Ollie Watkins and PSG loanee Marco Asensio to try 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.
