Paris Saint-Germain are through to the Champions League semi-finals—but not without a heart-racing battle against Aston Villa that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Despite a 3-2 loss on the night, PSG’s 5-4 aggregate victory means their long-standing dream of European glory is still alive.
A Flying Start for PSG
PSG entered Tuesday’s quarter-final second leg with a 3-1 cushion from the first match in Paris. And it looked like smooth sailing when Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes both found the net within the opening 27 minutes. The French champions were in full control, slicing through Villa’s defense with clinical precision and speed.
Luis Enrique’s tactical decision to start Bradley Barcola paid off early. The youngster’s surging run down the left flank created the opening goal, after Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez failed to hold onto his cross, allowing Hakimi to tap it home.
Mendes then doubled the advantage with a composed finish, putting PSG in what appeared to be an unassailable position.
Villa’s Valiant Comeback
But Aston Villa weren’t done yet.
Youri Tielemans gave Villa a lifeline just before the break with a deflected effort. That sparked belief in the home crowd—among them, Prince William and his son George, both die-hard Villa supporters.
Then came the storm.
Early in the second half, Villa turned the tie on its head with two goals in two minutes from John McGinn and Ezri Konsa, leveling the match at 5-5 on aggregate. Suddenly, PSG looked vulnerable.
Donnarumma the Savior
Just when it looked like another Champions League collapse might be unfolding for PSG, Gianluigi Donnarumma stepped up. The Italian goalkeeper made a string of world-class saves to deny Rashford, Tielemans, and Asensio, preserving PSG’s narrow lead.
Donnarumma’s heroics were crucial, especially after Villa kept piling on the pressure. Konsa nearly bagged another, and only a late block from Willian Pacho in stoppage time denied Villa what could have been a fairytale ending.
Arsenal Awaits?
With the Ligue 1 title already in the bag, PSG can now fully focus on the Champions League. They’ll likely face Arsenal in the semi-finals, as the Gunners take a strong 3-0 lead into their second leg against Real Madrid.
For Villa, this marks the end of a brilliant European run—one that brought back memories of their glory days in the early 1980s. Unai Emery’s men can hold their heads high.
But for PSG, the journey continues. They’ve come close before, and now, with momentum and experience on their side, this could finally be the year they conquer Europe.
