Aston Villa’s Brave Comeback Falls Short as PSG Reach Champions League Semi-Finals
Aston Villa’s Brave Comeback Falls Short as PSG Reach Champions League Semi-Finals
In a night filled with tension, emotion, and world-class football at Villa Park, Aston Villa came within inches of an extraordinary Champions League comeback. Despite winning the second leg 3-2, they fell just short, as Paris Saint-Germain edged through to the semi-finals with a 5-4 aggregate victory.
PSG Strike First, but Villa Show Heart
PSG entered the second leg with a 3-1 lead and quickly extended that with first-half goals from Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes. At 5-1 on aggregate, most thought the tie was over.
But Youri Tielemans gave the hosts a lifeline before the break, and John McGinn and Ezri Konsa lit up Villa Park with back-to-back goals in the second half to make it 3-2 on the night, 5-4 on aggregate.
Late Drama and Heroics from Donnarumma
Villa threw everything forward in the final minutes. Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, looked dangerous, while substitutes like Marco Asensio and Ian Maatsen came close to levelling the tie. But Gianluigi Donnarumma, PSG’s ever-reliable shot-stopper, made a series of game-saving interventions to keep the French champions alive.
Reactions: Villa Pride, PSG Relief
Unai Emery praised his team’s character and said he was “very proud” of their Champions League campaign. Director Damian Vidagany promised fans they’d be “back for more.”
Luis Enrique, meanwhile, insisted PSG deserved to progress, calling it “a victory over one of the most intense teams we’ve faced this season.”
Stats Recap
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Score: Aston Villa 3-2 PSG (4-5 agg)
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Goals: Tielemans 34’, McGinn 55’, Konsa 57’ | Hakimi 11’, Mendes 27’
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xG: Villa 2.26 – PSG 1.70
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Shots: 17 – 14
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Possession: 34% – 66%
Score: Aston Villa 3-2 PSG (4-5 agg)
Goals: Tielemans 34’, McGinn 55’, Konsa 57’ | Hakimi 11’, Mendes 27’
xG: Villa 2.26 – PSG 1.70
Shots: 17 – 14
Possession: 34% – 66%
What’s Next?
PSG now prepare for a Champions League semi-final clash with the winner of Real Madrid vs Arsenal, while Aston Villa return to domestic action still chasing a top-four Premier League finish—and another shot at European glory.
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