Aston Villa 3-2 (4-5 agg.) PSG: Epic comeback falls just short

Aston Villa came within an inch or two (on multiple occasions) of pulling off an all-time great UEFA Champions League comeback on Tuesday, but Unai Emery’s side was ultimately eliminated by PSG, 5-4 on aggregate, despite winning 3-2 on the night.

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The tie appear done and dusted less than half an hour into the second leg after both PSG full backs, Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes, scored devastating counter-attacking goals that made it 4-1 and 5-1 on aggregate. Villa Park was stunned into silence, other than the traveling PSG fans who making mental plans for a trip to London or Madrid later this month.

A two-goal deficit seemed difficult enough to overturn, but four was downright insurmountable… right?

Youri Tielemans got one back for Aston Villa before halftime, though, and that changed everything. PSG stuck to countering after the break, but they no longer defended with confidence that saw them break up any and every positive play from Villa in the first half. John McGinn made it 5-3 on aggregate with a deflected shot in the 53rd minute and Ezri Konsa slotted home Marcus Rashford’s cut-back cross two minutes later to cut PSG’s lead to just one. Three minutes later, Tielemans had an uncontested header from seven yards out that he looped over Gianluigi Donnarumma’s head, but the Italian scrambled across goal and somehow swiped the ball wide of the post.

Marco Asensio, on loan from PSG since January, came off the bench in the 66th minute and had a one-on-one chance to level the tie just four minutes later, but again Donnarumma saved the day. Less than 60 seconds after that, Rashford curled a fantastic free kick into the penalty area and found Konsa once more, completely unmarked seven yards out for a free header. Konsa threw himself forward but whiffed when any contact would have sent Villa Park into delirium.

Aston Villa went for it, but played right into PSG’s hands

Even if the personnel might have seemed confusing when lineups were announced, make no mistake: Emery went for it with an ultra-aggressive press that looked to squeeze PSG all over the field before they could play through. Villa caused PSG some minor discomfort in the opening minutes, but the visitors were impressively patient and simply waited for the perfect opportunities to spring in to attack. PSG’s first-half stats: 0.81 xG on just three shots, for two goals. They showed they can play the patient, possession game (and create loads of chances) in the first leg, and they proved they’re equally adept at counter-attacking a Champions League quarterfinalist into oblivion away from home (for a half at least). Nerves and pressure clearly got the best of them in the second half as a young, up-and-coming side felt the enormity of the moment and rode their luck until the full-time whistle. The near-comeback proved that Emery’s game plan was correct and he would have done anything to only be a goal down with 15 or 20 minutes left, except he wouldn’t have imagined having to score three times to get there, and that made it a bridge ever so slightly too far in the end.

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Aston Villa vs PSG live updates - by Andy Edwards

Aston Villa vs PSG final score: 3-2 (4-5 agg.)

Goalscorers: Achraf Hakimi (11'), Nuno Medes (27'), Youri Tielemans (34'), John McGinn (55'), Ezri Konsa (57')

BIG SAVE! Donnarumma keeps Tielemans’ header out somehow (60')

Villa were a Donnarumma save away from making it 5-5 on aggregate 😳 pic.twitter.com/3uAMmlFeCC — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 15, 2025

GOAL! Aston Villa 3-2 (4-5 agg.) PSG: Konsa slots Rashford’s pass into the bottom corner (57')

RASHFORD. KONSA. OMG. 🤯

Aston Villa are a goal away from an unreal comeback. pic.twitter.com/Jln397MRXN — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 15, 2025

GOAL! Aston Villa 2-2 (3-5 agg.) PSG: McGinn’s deflected shot finds its way in (55')

John McGinn took the ball from his own half put it in the top corner. Imagine not loving Champions League football 🔥 pic.twitter.com/cs3X3eZ6AB — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 15, 2025

OWN GOAL! Aston Villa 1-2 (2-5 agg.) PSG: Tielemans’ shot hits Pacho and goes in (34')

Youri Tielemans gives Aston Villa a glimmer of hope 👀✨ pic.twitter.com/4jvxJHLixj — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 15, 2025

GOAL! Aston Villa 0-2 (1-5 agg.) PSG: Mendes scores on another devastating counter (27')

Two counter attacks. Two goals. ⚡😮‍💨

PSG are off to a flying start at Villa Park 🔥 pic.twitter.com/t8oWXujIGx — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 15, 2025

GOAL! Aston Villa 0-1 (1-4 agg.) PSG: Hakimi cleans up after Martinez spills (11')

Emi Martínez gifts Achraf Hakimi an early goal to further PSG's aggregate lead to 4-1 🎁😳 pic.twitter.com/GFyVlnP3Tb — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) April 15, 2025

Aston Villa starting lineup

Martinez - Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne - Onana, Kamara, Tielemans - McGinn, Rogers, Rashford

PSG starting lineup

Donnarumma - Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes - Vitinha, Neves, Ruiz - Kvaratskhelia, Barcola, Dembele

How to watch Aston Villa vs PSG live, stream link and start time

Kick off time: 3pm ET Tuesday (April 15)

Venue: Villa Park — Birmingham

TV/Streaming: Paramount+

Unai Emery’s Villa conceded a third goal right at the end of the first leg in Paris to make their task of reaching the Champions League semifinals just that little bit tougher, but they still have a chance. With their stable of talented attacking players, Villa will go for it and an early goal will get Villa Park rocking. Then, who knows?

Luis Enrique’s PSG were sublime in the first leg, and after a slow start to their Champions League campaign their talented young side have been incredible in recent weeks. They should have won the first leg by more but are still the heavy favorites to reach the semifinals as their flowing, high-pressing style is so hard to stop.

Aston Villa team news, focus

The only injury issue Villa have is Leon Bailey struggling with a knock, other than that Emery has a fully-fit squad to choose from at the perfect moment in the season. Ahead of this game he’s spoken about not being able to play Marcus Rashford and Ollie Watkins up front together yet, but planning to in the future. Rashford started the first leg up top centrally, while Watkins jumped off the bench against Southampton on Saturday to score a beauty and spark Villa’s late surge in a 3-0 win. Surely Watkins will start up top with Rashford on the left, Asensio in the middle and Rogers on the right in an ultra-attacking lineup? Emery is the master of European cup competitions and he will have to come up with something special if Villa are going to reach the final four. Even if they do bow out of Europe, it has been one heck of a journey and they’re still in the FA Cup semifinals and are right in the hunt for Champions League qualification in the Premier League.

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PSG team news, focus

Les Parisiens have a fully-fit squad to choose from and Enrique will bring captain and experienced center back Marquinhos back into the lineup after he was suspended for the first leg. Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves are so good at keeping the ball and dictating the tempo of the game in midfield, while forwards Dembele, Kvaratskhelia and Doue were almost unplayable in the first leg with the latter duo both scoring beauties. PSG will sit back a bit deeper and will expect an early onslaught from Villa and that will suit them just fine as they’re so lethal on the counter. The French champions have hit top form at precisely the right time of the season and Enrique’s youngsters are writing a new chapter as a total team unit after many years of superstars leading the way.

Aston Villa vs PSG prediction

Expect goals and drama galore as Villa will come flying out of the blocks. But PSG have the players to hurt them on the counter and that will be the difference. Aston Villa 2-2 PSG.

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