PSG edge past Aston Villa to reach Champions League semi-finals

PSG survive Aston Villa's second-half comeback to advance to the Champions League semi-finals despite 3-2 loss on the night.

Achraf Hakimi of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates with Ousmane Dembele after scoring during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 quarter-final second leg match against Aston Villa at Villa Park on April 15, 2025, in Birmingham, England. Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Paris Saint-Germain edged past Aston Villa to reach the Champions League semi-finals, surviving a ferocious second-half rally to progress 5-4 on aggregate despite losing 3-2 on the night at Villa Park. The result ensured that PSG reach the Champions League semi-finals for a second consecutive season under manager Luis Enrique, in what was a breathtaking contest filled with drama, goals, and memorable moments.

PSG dominate early to extend lead

PSG, who entered the second leg with a 3-1 advantage from the first leg in Paris, seemed to have the tie wrapped up within the opening half-hour. Goals from full-backs Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes stretched their aggregate lead to 5-1, silencing the raucous Villa Park crowd and putting the French champions on course for a routine passage to the final four.

Luis Enrique’s decision to start Bradley Barcola paid immediate dividends. The young winger's surging run down the left and low cross forced Emiliano Martinez into a fumble, allowing Hakimi to fire home the opener in the 11th minute. Then, in the 27th minute, Ousmane Dembele sliced open the Villa defense on the break, finding Mendes who calmly slotted home his fourth goal in this season’s Champions League.

Villa were stunned but not broken.

Villa mount a spirited fightback

With their dreams seemingly crushed, Aston Villa regrouped and began to find their rhythm. Youri Tielemans, the experienced Belgian midfielder, gave the hosts a lifeline just before halftime. His shot from the edge of the area took a deflection and found its way past Gianluigi Donnarumma to make it 2-1 on the night.

The comeback was on.

Early in the second half, Villa's belief soared. In the 52nd minute, captain John McGinn’s strike deflected off a PSG defender and looped into the top corner, sending Villa Park into delirium. Just two minutes later, Marcus Rashford—who started ahead of top scorer Ollie Watkins—beat two defenders down the right and delivered a precise cutback for Ezri Konsa, who made it 3-2.

Suddenly, the aggregate score was 5-4. PSG, who had looked in full control, were now on the brink of collapse—a scenario painfully familiar for their fans in European competition.

Donnarumma saves the day

As Villa pressed for a historic comeback, PSG’s Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma stepped up. The former AC Milan shot-stopper pulled off a string of world-class saves, denying Tielemans, Rashford, and even Marco Asensio late in the game. His performance was instrumental in ensuring that PSG reach the Champions League semi-finals, holding off Villa’s relentless pressure.

Willian Pacho also played his part with a crucial block in stoppage time, diverting Ian Maatsen’s goal-bound effort just wide as the home side desperately pushed for the goal that would have forced extra time.

Emery and Enrique meet again

The quarter-final clash added another chapter to the rivalry between Unai Emery and Luis Enrique. Emery, now the Aston Villa manager, was in charge of PSG during the infamous 6-1 loss to Barcelona in 2017, when Enrique was on the opposite bench. This time, the tables were turned, but the drama was just as intense.

Speaking after the match, Emery said, "At the end, we got them suffering like we did. To get this level is the next step forward that I want to try to build with Aston Villa." Despite the elimination, he praised his team’s resilience and the energy of the fans.

Luis Enrique acknowledged the danger Villa posed, but expressed satisfaction with the result. "I have to say that match for us is something that allows us to grow up and try to compete even better. On the whole two matches we deserved to win and we are very happy because it's the second year in a row in the semi-finals."

Champions League dreams still alive for PSG

For PSG, the road to European glory continues. Despite their struggles in recent years, this current side is showing more steel and composure. With the Ligue 1 title all but secured, the focus now turns fully to winning the Champions League—a trophy that has long eluded them.

The semi-finals will see PSG likely face Arsenal, who hold a commanding 3-0 lead over Real Madrid ahead of their second leg. The other side of the draw promises another epic encounter, with Barcelona set to meet either Inter Milan or Bayern Munich.

With stars like Kylian Mbappe, Dembele, Mendes, and Donnarumma all delivering on the big stage, PSG reaching the Champions League semi-finals feels more like a step toward destiny than just a fleeting success.

Villa’s return to the big stage ends in pride

Though Villa fell short, they depart the Champions League with their heads held high. Not since 1983 had they experienced such nights of European intensity. From the electrifying atmosphere at Villa Park to a valiant performance that nearly overturned a four-goal deficit, the club’s return to elite European competition has exceeded expectations.

Even a mishap before kickoff—when the Europa League anthem was mistakenly played instead of the Champions League anthem—couldn’t dampen the occasion. With fans, including Prince William and his son George, in attendance, Villa showed they belong on this stage.

Their future under Unai Emery looks bright, and their performance across both legs against PSG will serve as a benchmark for the club's ambitions in the years ahead.

What’s next?

As PSG prepare for their semi-final clash, they do so knowing the margin for error is razor thin. The likes of Arsenal, Barcelona, and possibly Bayern or Inter await—each with the quality to end their European dreams.

But if PSG can channel the energy and discipline they showed in the first half at Villa Park, and the resilience they showed in the second, they may finally have what it takes to lift the Champions League trophy in Munich on May 31.

The stage is set. The dream lives on.