The Champions League adventure is over for Aston Villa despite nearly producing a miracle against Paris Saint-Germain. With the visitors 3-1 up from the first-leg, the tie looked over after 27 minutes as Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes made it 2-0 in 27 minutes, both rounding off lethal counter attacks.
However, Youri Tielemans breathed life into the contest with a deflected strike before the break. Noise levels then reached fever pitch after half time as John McGinn struck from long range via a deflection before Ezri Konsa reduced the score to 4-5 on aggregate after 57 minutes. However, despite having further chances, Unai Emery’s side couldn’t get the extra goal they needed to take it to extra-time.
Express Sport runs through the Villa player ratings on a night of real drama…
Aston Villa player ratings vs PSG
Emiliano Martinez: 6
Superb for his team in Paris but PSG’s opener tonight will haunt him, spilling a routine low take into the path of Hakimi. Little chance with the Mendes goal but his error proved costly. Did however, make an important late block from Desire Doue.
Matty Cash: 6
Struggled in the early stages as PSG threatened to cut loose. Appeared too keen to press and got caught out.
Ezri Konsa: 7
Once the home defence settled, so did Konsa. And his composed second half finish from Marcus Rashford’s cut back raised the roof at Villa Park. But also failed to connect with a headed chance to level matters.
Pau Torres: 4
Partly at fault for the first goal, caught out of position as PSG broke forward and then seemed to switch off, thinking Martinez would gather ball. Looked all at sea at the back and also had two chances at the other end in the first half, volleying straight at Donnarruma before crossing when he should have shot. A misplaced pass also nearly cost his side dear later on and really wasn’t his best night.
Lucas Digne: 6
Another who started badly against the impressive Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Improved markedly after the opening half hour though and was prepared to offer himself going forward.
Boubacar Kamara: 6
Plenty of energy and was more prominent as Villa got on the front foot. But one needless flick cost possession in a good attacking position.
Amadou Onana: 7
Started well with an early slide tackle that set up a Villa attack. Also started the move for the Tielemans goal. Tidy in possession too.
Youri Tielemans: 8
Big slice of fortune with his goal but it was deserved. Made his mark in attack and worked hard defensviely too.
Morgan Rogers: 8
A threat throughout with his driving runs forward. Blasted one long range effort narrowly over in second half and there was an expectation every time he picked up possession.
John McGinn: 9
The decision to take him off at 3-2 could only have been based on fatigue. Teed up Tielemans for the opener and produced a spectacular effort to level the game on the night. Played his heart out and deserved the standing ovation.
Marcus Rashford: 9
Night started badly for him, carelessly coughing up the ball for PSG to break forward and make it 1-0. Second half however, he was inspired, forcing a superb save from Donnarumma before beating two players to create the goal for Konsa. Also set up the centre back again for what should have been the header that levelled the tie.
Substitutes
Jacob Ramsey (for Onana, 67): 6
Struggled to provide the impact Villa needed in the final stages.
Ian Maatsen (for Digne, 76): 5
Looked vulnerable as PSG exploited the gaps with counter attacks late on. Has a last gasp volley agonisingly blocked.
Marco Asensio (for McGinn, 66): 6
Had a big, big chance to level the tie but another denied by the outstanding Donnarumma.
Ross Barkley (for Tielemans, 88): N/A
No time to make his presence felt.
Ollie Watkins (for Rashford, 76): 6
His introduction was delayed by Villa’s third goal but still, baffling how Unai Emery didn’t see fit to thrown him on sooner. A chance didn’t fall his way.
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