Paris Saint-Germain v Aston Villa: Line-ups, stats and preview

Paris Saint-Germain proved towards Liverpool that this can be a completely different crew to the one which flattered to deceive in earlier Champions League campaigns.

Gone are the large names – Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar and so forth – and of their stead has come a cohesive unit beautifully moulded by Luis Enrique right into a fearsome unit.

Sure, they nonetheless have gamers which are pivotal to the way in which they play, particularly the backbone of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marquinhos, Vitinha and Ousmane Dembele, however it seems to be a crew of gamers which are prepared to graft to make sure PSG raise their maiden Champions League crown.

The outcomes again that up. Since December 10, the one blips in all competitions have been a 1-1 draw at Lens within the Coupe de France (they nonetheless gained the sport on penalties), a 1-1 draw at dwelling to Reims in Ligue 1 and the 1-0 reverse towards Liverpool on the Parc des Princes in a match they dominated from begin to end.

They secured their ninth successive Ligue 1 win on the weekend, defeating Angers 1-0 and had been in a position to relaxation the likes of Dembele, Nuno Mendes and Joao Neves.

⚽️ L’entraînement veille de match avant Aston Villa FC 🔴🔵 https://t.co/AkRWmwX2Mn

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) April 8, 2025

It provides as much as a formidable problem for Villa however they, too, can level to stable type as a cause for optimism.

Unai Emery’s facet have gained their final seven in all competitions – including Saturday’s vital 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest – and the January additions of Marco Asensio, Marcus Rashford, Donyell Malen, Andres Garcia and Axel Disasi have added power in depth to a squad that at occasions had regarded a bit of skinny previous to Christmas.

Group information for Paris Saint-Germain v Aston Villa

All PSG’s huge weapons will return after being rested towards Angers and it needs to be the same facet to the one which confronted Liverpool.

Their solely absentee – and it’s a major one – is captain Marquinhos who’s suspended. Lucas Beraldo is anticipated to deputise.

Emery has choices and his rotational coverage over latest weeks makes it tough to foretell his beginning XI – one thing that will add a component of confusion for PSG.

Two gamers who positively gained’t seem on the Parc des Princes are Malen and Garcia as Villa might solely register three of their 5 mid-season signings.

Asensio is eligible to play towards his father or mother membership however could need to accept a spot on the bench if Emery tries to maintain it tight forward of the return at Villa Park.

Predicted line-ups for Paris Saint-Germain v Aston Villa

Paris Saint-Germain: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Pacho, Beraldo, Mendes; Neves, Ruiz, Vitinha; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia

Aston Villa: Martinez; Disasi, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn: Rogers, Ramsey, Rashford.