Paris Saint-Germain established a strong position in their Champions League quarterfinal by defeating Aston Villa 3-1 at the Parc des Princes, giving Luis Enrique’s side a significant advantage heading into the second leg.
Despite falling behind against the run of play when Rogers capitalized on a high turnover in the 35th minute, PSG responded impressively with three goals to secure the victory. Désiré Doué equalized just four minutes after Villa’s opener with a spectacular long-range effort that beat Emiliano Martinez.
The French champions continued their dominance after halftime, with Georgian star Kvaratskhelia putting them ahead in the 49th minute following a brilliant solo run that culminated in a powerful strike at Martinez’s near post. Nuno Mendes then sealed the win in stoppage time, giving PSG a two-goal cushion for the return leg at Villa Park.
The match featured several interesting subplots, with Villa manager Unai Emery returning to face his former club, while on-loan Marco Asensio and former PSG defender Lucas Digne also faced their past employers. Luis Enrique marked his 100th game in charge of PSG with this important victory.
PSG’s performance demonstrated their evolution under Enrique’s guidance, showing they remain a formidable European force despite Kylian Mbappé’s departure. Their high-pressing approach causes Villa significant problems throughout the match, limiting the English side’s attacking opportunities.
The French champions will benefit from a clear schedule before the second leg, with no domestic fixtures between the two matches. This will allow them to rest key players and focus entirely on completing the job at Villa Park on April 15.
Villa, enjoying their first Champions League campaign in over 40 years, face a substantial challenge to overcome this deficit, but Emery’s extensive European experience could prove valuable as they attempt to mount a comeback on home soil.
