UPDATE ON THE MATCH BETWEEN PSG vs ASTON VILLA:

 

UPDATE ON THE MATCH BETWEEN PSG vs ASTON VILLA: How the game went. Stadium: Parc des Princes, Paris, France. Referee: Maurizio Mariani. Managers: Luis Enrique (PSG), Unai Emery (Aston Villa). Formations: PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (4-3-3): Gianluigi Donnarumma, Achraf Hakimi, Lucas Beraldo, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz, Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

SUBS: Matvey Safonov, Arnau Tenas, Presnel Kimpembe, Goncalo Ramos, Lee Kang-In, Lucas Hernandez, Senny Mayulu, Bradley Barcola, Warren Zaire-Emery, Ibrahim Mbaye. ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martinez, Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne, Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, Morgan Rogers, Jacob Ramsey, Marcus Rashford.

SUBS: Robin Olsen, Sam Proctor, Axel Disasi, Tyrone Mings, Ross Barkley, Ollie Watkins, Marco Asensio, Ian Maatsen, Amadou Onana, Lamare Bogarde.Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain are set to face off in the Champions League quarter-final, with Villa making their first appearance in the competition's quarter-finals since 1983. Since Unai Emery took charge three years ago, Villa have undergone a remarkable transformation, and Emery now returns to Parc des Princes, where he previously managed from 2016-18.

Villa automatically qualified for the last 16 and beat Club Brugge 6-1 on aggregate, with defeating Bayern Munich at Villa Park being a highlight. They have been on a seven-match winning streak across all competitions, following a lull in the Premier League.On the flipside, Paris Saint-Germain are on track for a memorable treble, being unbeaten domestically and having reached the Coupe de France final and sealed the Ligue 1 title with six games to spare. Despite a slow start to the league phase, PSG fought back to win their last-16 contest with Liverpool, and with a history of reaching the Champions League finals, they are intent on lifting the elusive trophy.

1’ VILLA KICK US OFF! Wearing all white, Aston Villa kick off and we are under way in Paris! 3’ SHOT FROM DEMBELE! Falling backwards as he lets fly from around 20 yards out, Dembele sends an early shot spiralling high over the crossbar. Martinez, who has wasted no time in antagonising the home fans, watches it sail over his head. 5’ ANOTHER SHOT FROM VITINHA! With no room to shoot, Dembele lays the ball off to Vitinha just outside the box, and the latter shoots tamely at Martinez with a first-time attempt. 7’ SUPER STOP FROM MARTINEZ! Tracking back to help out his defence, Ramsey makes a crucial challenge to stop Dembele on the right byline. After the resulting corner, Kvaratskhelia's blocked shot bounces towards Dembele, and the French forward has a shot palmed over the top by Martinez!

9’ Already an integral figure in today's game, Dembele has taken the most attempts on goal in this season's Champions League (53). His form in 2025 has been spectacular, and he shows no signs of slowing down. 10’ Nuno Mendes pops up in the box as PSG's full-backs continue to roam free, and his powerful shot is blocked by a last-ditch lunge from Konsa. Villa are hanging on here, waiting for the storm to die down. 12’ With a remarkable 83% share of possession so far, PSG misplaced just two passes throughout the opening 10 minutes. As expected Vitinha is the playmaker, with runners creating space all around him. 14’ Having strayed several yards off his line, Donnarumma spills the ball when Tielemans loads a lofted free-kick into the PSG area, but he gets away with it.

16’ CRUCIAL INTERCEPTION FROM MARTINEZ! Alert to the danger, Martinez races off his line to smother Hakimi's attempt from an acute angle near the right byline. It was a heavy first touch from the Moroccan full-back, who captains PSG in the absence of Marquinhos, otherwise he'd have been clean through. 17’ YELLOW FOR CASH! Cash barely brushes Kvaratskhelia and is shown a yellow card. He'll have to tread carefully from now on. 20’ FOUL FROM DIGNE! Beaten by some fleet footwork from Doue, a flat-footed Digne concedes a free-kick out on the touchline. Vitinha takes it short, and when the ball is eventually delivered into the box, Kamara heads it clear of immediate danger. 22’ CLOSE FROM VITINHA! Teed up by Dembele, who cuts a low pass back from the right edge of the box, Vitinha curls a shot narrowly over the crossbar! It was a good effort, but it needed a little more dip.

24’ INJURY TO RAMSEY! Both coaches take a chance to divest some tactical instructions to their players, as the action comes to a halt when Ramsey receives medical treatment. Fortunately, he is fit enough to continue. 26’ Martinez rises highest in the Aston Villa area, beating Joao Neves to punch a hanging cross clear of danger. While they're still on the back foot, the visitors are at least more than midway through this first half with the scoreline all square. 28’ Though it's still 0-0 at Parc des Princes, Opta's live win predictor has Paris Saint-Germain as big favourites to prevail in this first leg. They have a 61% chance of success as things stand, compared to just 15% for underdogs Aston Villa. 30’ Rashford runs down a dead end on the left, as Villa make a rare break forward, so the away side instead opt to cycle the ball around in midfield and relieve a little pressure. They've barely been able to take a breath so far, chasing shadows all over the pitch.

32’ Some 48% of the action has taken place in Aston Villa's defensive third over the past 15 minutes, but PSG are not creating many clear-cut chances. So far, Emery will consider this a success, while Enrique may be a bit more frustrated. 34’ Facing what is effectively a 6-3-1 formation at the moment, Paris can't find sufficient space. It's great defensive discipline from Aston Villa, but can they keep it up? 35’ GOAL!!! VILLA STUN PSG AND TAKE THE LEAD! It's 1-0 to the Premier League side in Paris! McGinn steals the ball off Nuno Mendes, then feeds Rashford, who slips Tielemans away down the left. The latter sends a measured ball across the box for Rogers, who turns it home from close range at the back post! And against the run of play, Aston Villa go 1-0 up! 37’ Scorer of a Champions League hat-trick against Celtic earlier this season, Rogers has now had a hand in 11 goals across his last 14 starts for Aston Villa (seven goals, four assists). There's a long way to go in this quarter-final tie, but that could be the most important contribution of all.

39’ ASTON VILLA CLEAR OFF THE LINE! Aston Villa escape! Somehow, Martinez scrambles the ball off his goal-line and Paris Saint-Germain are denied their opening goal by a whisker! 39’ GOAL!!! PSG ARE BACK IN IT! It's 1-1 in Paris! Fed the ball by Nuno Mendes on the left flank, Doue sizes up a shot and beats Martinez with an incredible 20-yard strike that flies in off the bottom of the crossbar! That's simply superb from the young winger, and the scores are level again! 41’ Joao Neves races back to mop up, as Rashford beats his marker and surges to the left byline before cutting the ball back into a dangerous area. It's an open game now. 43’ SAVED BY MARTINEZ! Cash blocks an ambitious effort by Kvaratskhelia, conceding a corner. Following the set-piece, Doue lines up another shot at goal, but this time his well-struck attempt is powered straight at Martinez. The Villa goalkeeper palms it away!

45+1' ADDED-TIME! There will be at least two minutes of stoppage time at the end of this frantic first half, as PSG flood forward in search of a second goal. 45+2' HALF-TIME: PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN 1-1 ASTON VILLA. Paris Saint-Germain had a relentless first half, with 15 shots, their highest tally in a Champions League game since December 2016. Rising star Doue was at the heart of the action, scoring a special goal to equalize for PSG after Aston Villa had taken the lead with their only shot on target. Aston Villa's strategy to stop Doue will be crucial in the second half. Despite having less possession and fewer chances, Villa's counter-attacking approach paid off, with Rogers converting a precise cross from Tielemans. The xG statistics suggest a disparity between the teams, but Villa's resilience and clinical finishing have kept them in the game. The second half promises to be fascinating, with PSG likely to throw everything at earning a merited advantage. Villa will need to stay organized and capitalize on their counter-attacking opportunities to stay in the tie. The second leg will also be crucial in determining the winner of this quarter-final matchup.

46’ Paris Saint-Germain kick off, and we are back under way at Parc des Princes! 46’ SUBSTITUTION FOR VILLA Struggling to cope with Kvaratskhelia and already booked, Cash has been hauled off at half-time. The more defensive figure of Disasi will replace him at right-back. 48’ PSG are back on top as Kamara blocks Kvaratskhelia's shot, before Tielemans snuffs out Dembele's hopes of snaffling the rebound. 49’ GOAL!!! PSG TAKE THE LEAD! PSG produce another moment of magic, as Hakimi and Fabian Ruiz combine to send Kvaratskhelia away down the left, and the Georgian genius does the rest. He beats Konsa and Disasi with ease, then lashes an unstoppable shot in at the near post, beating the on-looking Martinez. It's 2-1 to Paris Saint-Germain!

51’ Ex-PSG defender Digne makes a vital headed clearance as Paris load the ball into the box, aiming to pick out Dembele. Having gone behind by Rogers opening goal, the French champions have responded so well. Can Villa stem the tide? 53’ FOUL FROM NEVES Ramsey drops to the deck under a challenge from Joao Neves, buying Villa a chance to breathe. Since half-time, the visitors have been unable to get out of their half, and they really need to steady the ship. 55’ At the end of a lightning-quick counter, Dembele looks up and sends a low pass from right to left for Kvaratskhelia. The latter, full of confidence from his superb goal, shoots first time but sees his effort deflected behind by Disasi for a corner. 58’ SAVE FROM MARTINEZ! After Fabian Ruiz cleverly steps over the ball and allows Hakimi to strike, the PSG skipper drives a firm 20-yard shot towards the bottom-left corner. Reacting well, Martinez drops down to palm it away, before Kamara mops up the rebound.

51’ Ex-PSG defender Digne makes a vital headed clearance as Paris load the ball into the box, aiming to pick out Dembele. Having gone behind by Rogers opening goal, the French champions have responded so well. Can Villa stem the tide? 53’ FOUL FROM NEVES Ramsey drops to the deck under a challenge from Joao Neves, buying Villa a chance to breathe. Since half-time, the visitors have been unable to get out of their half, and they really need to steady the ship. 55’ At the end of a lightning-quick counter, Dembele looks up and sends a low pass from right to left for Kvaratskhelia. The latter, full of confidence from his superb goal, shoots first time but sees his effort deflected behind by Disasi for a corner. 58’ SAVE FROM MARTINEZ! After Fabian Ruiz cleverly steps over the ball and allows Hakimi to strike, the PSG skipper drives a firm 20-yard shot towards the bottom-left corner. Reacting well, Martinez drops down to palm it away, before Kamara mops up the rebound.

59’ SUBSTITUTION FOR VILLA! Having put in another energetic shift, Ramsey departs. On comes PSG-owned Marco Asensio, who has scored eight goals in 11 Aston Villa appearances since leaving his parent club. 61’ CHANCE FOR PSG! Beraldo almost scores with his back, as he ducks under a Kvaratskhelia corner-kick from the left and diverts the ball towards the target. However, Martinez ultimately makes a straightforward save. 65’ The one-way traffic continues, as Paris Saint-Germain switch the ball about relentlessly in the final third, seeking a chink in the vast white wall that stands before them. Villa have given up all hope of attacking and are simply hanging on for full-time. 67’ SHOT FROM BERALDO! A little frustrated at their inability to break Villa's defence open, PSG waste the ball when Beraldo drives a low 25-yard shot straight at a grateful Martinez. That suits the away side, who may consider a 2-1 first-leg loss relatively palatable.

69’ BLOCK FROM HAKIMI! Hakimi does well to track Rashford's run from out to in, making a block in the box and sparking a PSG break. It ultimately slows, though, as Aston Villa get numbers back behind the ball. 71’ OFFSIDE FOR PSG! PSG have a potential third goal ruled out, as Kvaratskhelia slips a lovely throughball into the path of an overlapping Hakimi, who then places an angled drive through Martinez and into the net. Immediately, the referee raises his flag for offside. 72’ DOUBLE SUB FOR PSG! Désiré Doué is off for Bradley Barcola. And Zaire-Emery replaces Fabian Ruiz in midfield. 73’ SAVE FROM DONNARUMMA! Digne guides the ball inside from the left for Rogers, who ignores Asensio and instead opts to shoot. The opening goalscorer curls his attempt towards the right side of the goal, but Donnarumma reads it and gets his big frame down to comfortably keep it out.

75’ Kvaratskhelia’s latest shot, taken from around 25 yards out is deflected behind for another PSG corner. He takes it himself, but Villa survive the set-piece situation. 77’ PENALTY APPEAL FROM PSG! Kvaratskhelia initiates contact in the box, as he vies for the ball with Pau Torres, then tumbles to the turf appealing for a penalty. Neither the referee nor the VAR are interested, so play goes on. 79’ TRIPLE SUB FOR VILLA Emery senses his overworked team is tiring, so he sends on three substitutes for the final few minutes. First, Rashford is replaced by top scorer Watkins. Then Maatsen replaces Tielemans, creator of Aston Villa's first-half goal. And McGinn makes way for Onana in midfield. 82’ There's a rare bright moment for Aston Villa, as Onana feeds his fellow sub Asensio, whose early attempt is deflected behind for a corner by Beraldo.

90+1' Watkins plays in Rogers on the left side of the area, but the latter, after deftly moving into a shooting position fires well wide of the target. 90+2' PSG STRIKE AGAIN AND SEAL THE GAME! A crucial late goal puts Paris 3-1 up at Parc des Princes! Nuno Mendes races into the box, dummies expertly to beat Konsa, then zips a finish past a exposed Martinez and into the top of the net. It's a bitter late blow for Aston Villa, who were surely happy taking a one-goal deficit back to Birmingham. 90+3' SUBSTITUTION FOR PSG! Luis Enrique sends on a late sub, as Ramos replaces goalscorer Kvaratskhelia. 90+4' SHOT FROM ZAIRE-EMERY! With the final act of this first leg, Zaire-Emery sends a swerving shot over the top from more than 20 yards out, perhaps with the help of a fingertip from Martinez.

90+4' FULL-TIME: PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN 3-1 ASTON VILLA. Paris Saint-Germain secured a crucial 3-1 win in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Aston Villa, with a late third goal sealing their advantage. Villa had taken the lead just before halftime through Rogers, but PSG fought back with style, first equalizing through Doue's sublime finish and then taking the lead with Kvaratskhelia's brilliant solo goal. The hosts were able to hold on until stoppage time, when Dembele's clever pass found Nuno Mendes, who coolly beat Martinez to score the decisive third goal. PSG's xG of 1.94 to Villa's 0.74 reflects their dominance, and they now hold a significant advantage heading into the second leg. The win puts them in a strong position to progress, and they will look to build on this momentum when the teams meet again in Birmingham next week.