In a match that Paris Saint-Germain dominated at a raucous Parc des Princes, the Parisians overcame a solid Aston Villa side thanks to three excellent goals (3-1). A look back at a successful first leg that gives the Parisians a two goal advantage.
A few days after clinching the 13th French league title in their history against Angers (1-0), Paris Saint-Germain were back at the Parc des Princes, this time for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. In a packed Parc des Princes, Paris welcomed another English club: Aston Villa. Luis Enrique lined up a central defensive pairing of Lucas Beraldo and Willian Pacho against the in-form Villans, with Gianluigi Donnarumma taking his place in goal. Captain in the absence of Marquinhos, Achraf Hakimi started on the right flank, with Nuno Mendes lining up on the other side. In midfield, Vitinha was holding, flanked by João Neves and Fabian Ruiz. In attack, Ousmane Dembélé started in a central position, supported by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Désiré Doué on the wings.
From the outset, the Parisians took the game under their control, galvanised by a Parc des Princes crowd in full voice. It was Ousmane Dembélé, found on the right following a corner, who forced Emiliano Martinez into a save for the first time in the game (8'). Led by a lively Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Rouge et Bleu set out to attack an English rearguard that had established itself as one of the best in Europe recently. It was clearly going to be a difficult task for Paris, and Vitinha did not hesitate to have a go on the edge of the area to trouble the opposition keeper (23'). With Aston Villa trapped in their own half, they were deprived of the ball and suffocated by a Parisian team that was effective at regaining possession.
However, the Birmingham club are known to be dangerous in transition, and John McGinn won the ball before passing it to Marcus Rashford and then on to Youri Tielemans, who found Morgan Rogers alone at the far post (34', 0-1). Thanks to a lightning counter-attack, Aston Villa caught Paris cold and took the lead against the run of play. But the Villans knew it would take a lot more than that to see the capital club give up. Paris Saint-Germain, confident of their chances, immediately went back into the battle, determined to pull a goal back before the break. That wish was fulfilled when Désiré Doué fired in a pinpoint shot from the left-hand side of the box that left Emiliano Martinez with no chance (39', 1-1). The Parisians responded swiftly, and the two sides went into the changing rooms on level terms.
The second half got off to a flying start, and it was Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who once again caused havoc down the left, beating Ezri Konsa with a subtle flick before unleashing a powerful shot from a tight angle that sailed under the bar (2-1, 49'). It was an extraordinary moment that sent the Parc des Princes into raptures for the second time of the night, and gave the Parisians the lead. Once again in trouble, Aston Villa suffered from the Parisian waves but did not break, despite more attempts from Kvaratskhelia (56') and Achraf Hakimi (58'). As the well-oiled team that they are, the Rouge et Bleu did not hold back and pushed for a third goal. Hakimi was sent down the right wing and managed to fire past Martinez, but his goal was eventually disallowed for a slight offside (70'). Not troubled defensively, Paris threw everything they had into getting another goal.
It was in the dying moments of the match that Luis Enrique's men were rewarded for their efforts, when Ousmane Dembélé found Nuno Mendes, who made the most of his speed down the left flank before rounding Emiliano Martinez and finishing with his right foot under the bar (3-1, 90'+2). The crowd at the Parc des Princes was ecstatic after the third goal, and after a match they had masterfully controlled, the Rouge et Bleu took the first leg against the English. Now all eyes can gradually turn to the second leg, which will be played on the other side of the Channel at a Villa Park that promises to be just as hot. The Parisians will be in Birmingham next Tuesday at 9pm as they attempt to reach the last four of the competition against a Villa side looking to bounce back. The countdown is on!