It remains difficult to see past this being the end of Aston Villa’s European adventure, as they entertain an awesome-looking PSG team.
By Ian King
PSG’s season-long good form
PSG looked as strong as they have all season in winning the first leg 3-1 last week. They’ve dropped just ten points all season and have already been crowned champions in Ligue 1, where they remain unbeaten, and have won their last nine league matches in a row. Their only shaky patch came in the League Phase of this competition, when they lost three games. Villa were patchy between January and February, but they’ve won their last four Premier League matches in a row and finished above PSG back in that gigantic group stage, winning five and losing two.
History recap
The first leg between these two sides was their first meeting in a competitive match. Villa have only played French opposition in Europe once before, drawing 0-0 in Bordeaux before winning the return match 1-0 in the 1997/98 UEFA Cup First Round. The last time Villa played in this competition came in 1982/83, when as holders they reached the quarter-finals before losing over two legs to Juventus, losing 2-1 at Villa Park 3-1 in Turin in the second leg.
Key Players
Morgan Rogers scored the Villa goal in Paris, and he has felt a little under the radar for much of this season. But his influence in attacking positions is huge, and while Ollie Watkins remains top scorer, Rogers has a broader remit as a player. That isn’t to understate his goal contribution, either; he’s scored 14 in all competitions so far this season, just one fewer than Watkins.
PSG have ended their Galacticos impersonation spell and in the process have built something far more resilient-looking. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is a fascinating example of their smarter transfer business policies. At 26 years old, he’s made 400 club appearances in all competitions, while he also already has 72 Italy caps. At the other end, Ousmane Dembélé has scored 32 in 41 matches, an incredible recovery from the wretched time he had in his later years at Barcelona.
Team News
Villa’s only absentee is Leon Bailey. He’s on the way back, but won’t be in time for this match. Changes from Saturday are certain. Ollie Watkins, John McGinn and Donyell Malen were rested but then called off the bench to score at Southampton. Ominously, PSG should be even stronger this time, with their captain Marquinhos returning after having missed the first leg through suspension. Lucas Beraldo will likely make way for him.
Prediction
Aston Villa have been outstanding in this year’s Champions League. Beating Bayern Munich 1-0, as they had 43 years earlier, will live long in the memories of supporters. But being entirely pragmatic about things, it’s difficult to see past another PSG win. They’ve been doing things differently, and it’s really starting to bear fruit. An early Villa goal might shake things up – let’s see what they’re made of, and all that – but you still have to favour another PSG win. Perhaps 2-1, to completely mirror Villa’s 1983 European Cup exit.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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