Paris Saint-Germain had to battle hard for a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday, coming from behind after an early shock from the visitors.
Morgan Rogers stunned the home crowd by giving Unai Emery’s side the lead in the first half, but PSG quickly responded as teenage sensation Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia turned the game around before Nuno Mendes sealed the win in stoppage time, securing a well-earned triumph for the newly crowned Ligue 1 champions.
PSG’s control of the game was evident as they dictated the tempo with composed possession, technical brilliance, and relentless high pressing—hallmarks of Luis Enrique’s system, under which Doué has flourished.
Villa saw their seven-game winning streak in all competitions snapped and will need a strong performance in next Tuesday’s return leg to keep their hopes alive.
A banner draped over the Auteuil Kop read, “By order of the Paris SG fans,” a playful reference to the Peaky Blinders TV series set in Birmingham.
Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, a familiar antagonist in France, was met with a chorus of boos, whistles, and insults but remained unfazed. He showcased his shot-stopping ability early on, blocking a low effort from Vitinha and making a brilliant save to deny Ousmane Dembélé’s powerful half-volley.
Despite PSG’s relentless pressing, it was Villa who struck first.
A misplaced pass from Mendes in midfield allowed John McGinn to intercept and set up Youri Tielemans. The Belgian midfielder lifted his head, spotted an opening, and delivered a precise cross to Rogers, who calmly tapped the ball home.
PSG wasted no time in responding. Just four minutes later, Doué curled a stunning strike from the edge of the box, lifting the ball over a grounded Martínez and under the bar to level the score.
It was another brilliant moment for the 19-year-old, who had also scored the decisive penalty in PSG’s last-16 shootout victory against Liverpool.
After the break, PSG intensified their pressure. A brilliant midfield combination led to Kvaratskhelia firing a shot off the inside of the near post to put the hosts 2-1 ahead.
Achraf Hakimi nearly added a third on a swift counterattack, only for Martínez to make an impressive full-stretch save.
PSG had a penalty claim waved away, and Hakimi saw a goal disallowed for offside, but Mendes sealed the victory two minutes into added time. The full-back cut inside Ezri Konsa and slotted past Martínez, who left the pitch with his head down.
