PLAYER RATINGS | PSG 3-1 Aston Villa: scintillating Parisiens put themselves on cusp of Champions League semi-finals | OneFootball

UEFA Champions League, Quarter-final, 09/04/25

Paris Saint-Germain dominated Aston Villa in a one-way encounter at the Parc des Princes and take a 3-1 lead to Villa Park as they seek to reach back-to-back semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

The Match

It was clear from the offset that this Aston Villa side would be a much different proposition than Liverpool. Unlike the Merseyside club, Villa were happy to sit off PSG and stay compact. Luis Enrique’s side were therefore frustrated in the opening exchanges, limited to some half-sightings of goal with two of the best chances falling to Vitinha on the edge of the box, whilst Nuno Mendes also stung Emiliano Martínez’s palms with a fierce half-volley.

Aston Villa then stunned PSG. Just moments after the Premier League side had sustained their first real phase of possession on the half-hour mark, John McGinn won the ball of Mendes, found Marcus Rashford, who slotted in Youri Tielemans. The Belgian’s ball across goal found Morgan Rogers at the back post and he made no mistake, finishing into the empty net.

However, that lead did not last long. Martínez, booed by the home crowd throughout, almost spilled a relatively simple Désiré Doué effort into his own net. Only the post saved the Argentine but it wasn’t there to save him from the subsequent corner as the France international curled a sumptuous effort off the underside of the bar.

Having hit the mark once, Doué was determined to get another and had three shots within the final six minutes without adding to his tally.

Les Parisiens then took the lead early in the second half through Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who finished off a good team move with a run at Axel Disasi and a thunderbolt into the roof of Martínez’s net. Thereafter, it was more difficult to create chances. Pau Torres had a half-chance with a header but the cross was a little bit above him, whilst Achraf Hakimi saw a goal disallowed for a clear offside.

Rogers had a rare sight at goal in the 72nd minute but his effort was poorly placed and Donnarumma made a simple save. As the half progressed, Aston Villa sat deeper as they looked to limit the damage. However, there was a sting in the tail as far as the Premier League side were concerned. Dembélé expertly slotted through Mendes, who then sat down Martínez by cutting inside and then finding the top corner. PSG head to Villa Park next week very much in control of the tie.

PSG player ratings

Gianluigi Donnarumma – 5

Nuno Mendes – 6

A contrasting night for Mendes. He looked shaky in the first half and was responsible for losing the ball for Aston Villa’s goal. He arguably should have been awarded a yellow card for a sloppy foul on Cash, however, he kept his cool to net PSG’s third in the dying seconds. The defender showed incredible composure to sit down Martínez and apply the finish.

Lucas Beraldo – 5

Willian Pacho – 5

Achraf Hakimi – 5

Fabián Ruiz – 6

João Neves – 5

Vitinha – 7

The most impressive of PSG’s midfielders. He is the one that set the rhythm, whilst his long-range distribution and ability to put balls over the top for players running in behind was exceptional. After a middling start to the season, in 2025 he has shown the same levels that saw Luis Enrique elect him Parisien of the season last year.

Khivcha Kvaratskhelia – 7

His run at Disasi and emphatic finish past Martínez was undoubtedly the moment of the match. Like all of PSG’s forwards, his impact was limited in the opening exchanges but once he grew into the game, he became difficult to stop.

Ousmane Dembélé – 6

Désiré Doué – 8

A performance on the big scene that he has mirrored week-in-week-out in Ligue 1 all season. He is always endeavouring, always provoking, willing to go one-on-one or even take on two men at once. He couldn’t use his incredible burst of pace from a standing start early on but he quickly got a grasp on the game and how to influence it, making his mark with a goal just before half-time. It is difficult to stand out on a technical level in this highly gifted PSG side but Doué still manages.

Aston Villa player ratings

Emiliano Martínez – 6

Lucas Digne – 5

Pau Torres – 6

Ezri Konsa – 5

Matty Cash – 4

Yellow carded in the first half, the Poland international made way for Axel Disasi (4) at half-time, who had a rude entry into the game, being sat down by Kvaratskhelia for PSG’s second. The Frenchman recovered to have a largely error-free half.

Boubacar Kamara – 5

Youri Tielemans – 6

Jacob Ramsey – 4

John McGinn – 5

Morgan Rogers – 6

Marcus Rashford – 3

Aston Villa struggled to establish any level of control in the PSG half throughout, which naturally limited Rashford’s ability to get into the game. He made just 29 touches, losing possession on eight occasions. He was, however, culpable of not holding the ball up better and allowing the away side to build moves.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle