Aston Villa delivered a breathtaking performance at Villa Park, edging Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 on the night, but narrowly falling short in their quest for a Champions League semi-final spot, losing 5-4 on aggregate in a pulsating quarter-final encounter on Tuesday.
Chasing a 3-1 deficit from the first leg, Villa’s hopes took an early hit when a communication breakdown between Emi Martinez and Pau Torres allowed Achraf Hakimi to capitalize just 11 minutes in.
PSG appeared to tighten their grip on the tie shortly before the half-hour mark as Nuno Mendes unleashed a fierce drive that cannoned in off the post, punishing Villa’s failed press.
However, the hosts clawed their way back into contention with a lifeline 11 minutes before the interval. Youri Tielemans let fly, and his shot took a wicked deflection off Willian Pacho, wrong-footing Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Villa emerged from the break with renewed purpose, and it was captain John McGinn who ignited belief. Picking up the ball deep in his own half, McGinn surged forward over 40 yards before curling a shot—brushed slightly by Pacho—past Donnarumma in the 55th minute.
The home crowd erupted just moments later. Marcus Rashford slalomed through PSG’s defense with dazzling footwork before teeing up Ezri Konsa, who calmly slotted the ball into the corner to make it 3-2.
PSG looked shaken, and Villa kept the pressure on. Donnarumma had to be at his very best to deny Rashford, Tielemans, and substitute Marco Asensio from adding to the tally as Villa surged forward in search of the decisive goal.
In the dying moments, Ian Maatsen saw his effort cleared off the line, summing up Villa’s agonizing near-miss.
Despite the victory on the night, it was PSG who ultimately held on to secure their place in the last four, surviving an epic scare under the lights in Birmingham.
