Before the international break, the Ligue 1 side was arguably one of the more in-form Champions League teams. The upcoming PSG vs. Aston Villa matchup should be excellent for fans. Premier League rosters are often expected to be the best. At this point, however, Unai Emery appears to be facing an uphill battle.
Recent Form and Path to the Quarter-Finals
Embed from Getty ImagesBoth the Ligue 1 and Premier League sides scored away from home during the Round of 16 encounter. Ousmane Dembélé scored at Anfield. This ultimately led to Luis Enrique leading his team through on penalties. The French finished 15th during the league phase with 13 points. They suffered three defeats during this timeframe.
Villa, on the other hand, advanced more comfortably. They defeated Club Brugge 3-1 in Belgium. An early red card during the second leg allowed for a comfortable 3-0 victory. Marco Asensio scored a brace during that encounter. Before the knockout stage, Emery’s side finished eighth with 16 points. He suffered two defeats from the eight matches.
Key Players and Tactical PSG vs. Aston Villa Battle
The trio of Bradley Barcola, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Dembélé can be a fierce attack up top. Their quality can put any keeper under duress. João Neves and Vitinha will need to command the centre of the park. Marquinhos and Willian Pacho are a strong pairing in front of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Asensio and Marcus Rashford are doing well in their loan spells under Emery. Youri Tielemans and John McGinn will look to win possession for the Premier League side. They must find ways to get the ball to their playmakers in the attack. Defending in front of Emiliano Martínez are Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings.
Historical Context and Insights
This will be the first Champions League encounter between these two teams, and they have not met in any other European competition before. However, with both teams’ increased roles, there could be more fixtures between them in the near future, particularly with the new UCL format.
PSG vs. Aston Villa Conclusion
The Ligue 1 side expects to advance against the Premier League competition. Emery, however, will aim to get the upper hand against Enrique. Both teams know that winning on aggregate will mean solidifying a spot in the semi-finals. This PSG vs. Aston Villa matchup should be a largely open affair. With a lot of up-and-down play, the two Champions League legs are certain to impress.