Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Aston Villa (Doue 39′, Kvaratskhelia 49′, Mendes 90+2′ | Rogers 35′)
What a difference one goal makes, and given the two worldies it followed the composure from Paris Saint-Germain’s left-back certainly warrants a mention.
First, the cut back. One that sent Emiliano Martinez to ground and drew smiles across the whole of France, and then the finish, with Nuno Mendes expertly lifting the ball over Aston Villa’s goalkeeper to completely change the complexion of this Champions League tie.
The hill is far steeper now Villa must score twice against PSG without reply on Tuesday to simply force extra-time, and while entirely possible, it enters free-shot territory.
square FOOTBALL Aston Villa stumbled after two PSG stunners – then came the knockout blow
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“There’s loads of belief in the changing room,” Morgan Rogers said.
“We have nothing to lose. Why not just go for it? It’s not done yet.”
The belief is admirable but the prospect of shutting PSG out is unlikely.
Villa boss Unai Emery must now consider what tweaks can be made and how that collides with Saturday’s Premier League match at Southampton, which must not be underestimated given the bigger picture of trying to reach the Champions League all over again.
Many supporters will want Ollie Watkins back in the starting line-up against PSG. The striker played a key role in getting the club to the Champions League in the first place, but was surprisingly left on the bench for their biggest away day yet.
Having started in 37 of his 45 appearances this season, Watkins would be right to feel aggrieved and a little perplexed by the call, with Marcus Rashford starting in his place.
The Manchester United loanee is “playing free” according to Emery, and on the eve of the PSG match the Villa boss also admitted to experimenting on the go.
All the angles from Désiré Doué’s outstanding finish pic.twitter.com/8oybXmyObX
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 10, 2025
Emery clearly felt like PSG away was a game worth trialling Rashford at No 9 once more, while this was also the same starting XI that won 3-0 at Brighton recently.
Setting up defensively, Villa knew they would have even less of the ball in Paris – 44 per cent possession at Brighton to 32 per cent possession at PSG – and Emery said afterwards the match ultimately met his “expectations”.
What may have surprised him though is the amount of opportunities Villa had going forward. After weathering the storm, they even took the lead, and chances still followed even as wondergoal after wondergoal from PSG went in.
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Marcus Rashford's Aston Villa spell is turning out just as Man Utd wanted
Read MoreVilla recorded eight attempts and 26 attacks, with Liverpool only managing two attempts from their 26 attacks in Paris a month ago.
Rashford himself did not have a single shot, and though it was far from a poor display, it is difficult to shake the feeling his pace would have been more useful off the bench late on.
Watkins, meanwhile, could have been far more useful than his brief cameo. He is used to the defensive work required of a striker, while his hold-up play is one of his greatest strengths, but instead he was reduced to 11 minutes off the bench, a change that felt far too late for the 29-year-old to make an impact.
In truth, all of Emery’s substitutes were late, but this is perhaps hindsight speaking, for Villa were just two minutes away from a 2-1 defeat.
One goal, two goals, Emery said it barely makes a difference, for Villa still have to win.
Should Watkins return?
Ironically he could revert to starting both Rashford and Watkins in his bid to do so on Tuesday, moving the former back out wide in an attacking line-up that may also mean Marco Asensio returns to the XI as well.
It would leave Villa a little more exposed but they must force the issue, and given Rashford’s best performances have come from out wide, this would arguably give them their best shot at a shock.
Either way, Emery seems to have created a dilemma that could dictate the outcome of Villa’s final straight this season.
Those who have seen plenty of him at United would say Rashford is not a No 9, but that is what Villa are trying – even though they have precious little time to find out whether it works and three fronts still to fight on.
It’s a gamble, and with Watkins in the squad and Rashford’s qualities better seen on the wing, it doesn’t feel like one that is worth taking.
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