PSG vs Aston Villa Lineups: Confirmed UCL 2025 Teams

When Ousmane Dembélé collected the Man of the Match award after PSG’s commanding first-leg win over Aston Villa, the Champions League quarterfinal seemed to be slipping away from the Birmingham club. Villa had other ideas. The second leg at Villa Park turned into a thriller, with Villa winning 3-2, though PSG’s first-leg advantage proved enough to advance 5-4 on aggregate.

First Leg Date: April 9, 2025 · First Leg Score: PSG 3-1 Aston Villa · Second Leg Date: April 15, 2025 · Man of the Match: Ousmane Dembélé · Competition: UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal

Who won the match between PSG and Aston Villa?

PSG won the first leg 3-1 at Parc des Princes on April 9, 2025, with Désiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Nuno Mendes scoring for the French champions. Morgan Rogers replied for Villa in the 35th minute. The second leg saw Villa respond with a 3-2 victory at Villa Park on April 15, but PSG’s first-leg advantage sent them through 5-4 on aggregate.

First leg result

PSG dominated the opening leg, controlling 66% possession and creating the clearer chances. Doué opened the scoring in the 39th minute before Kvaratskhelia doubled the lead in the 49th. Rogers pulled one back for Villa before Mendes sealed the 3-1 victory in stoppage time.

Aggregate outcome

Despite Villa’s second-leg surge—scoring three goals and creating numerous chances—the aggregate finished 5-4 in PSG’s favour. Aston Villa had 17 total shots and 9 on target in the second leg compared to PSG’s 14 and 7 respectively.

Who won the man of the match PSG vs Aston Villa?

Ousmane Dembélé was voted Man of the Match for the first leg by UEFA’s official technical observers. The French forward contributed to PSG’s attacking threat throughout, though the physical award presentation reportedly drew mixed reactions from Dembélé himself.

Ousmane Dembélé voted MOTM

The award marked another milestone in Dembélé’s resurgent season under PSG’s new coaching staff. His pace and direct running caused problems for Villa’s defence throughout the first leg, with his movement creating space for his teammates.

UEFA official award

UEFA’s official technical committee selects the Man of the Match after each Champions League match, reviewing both individual performances and impact on the result. Dembélé’s recognition reflected his overall contribution rather than goals scored.

Ousmane Dembélé, Man of the Match voted by UEFA for the first-leg encounter.

— UEFA Official Technical Report

What channel is PSG v Aston Villa on?

UEFA Champions League quarterfinal matches are broadcast through a combination of domestic rights holders and streaming platforms. In the UK, TNT Sports held rights for Villa’s matches. In France, Canal+ and beIN Sports share Champions League coverage. US viewers could watch on Paramount+.

Broadcast options

The quarterfinal double-header was available across multiple platforms in major European markets. Fans in France caught the matches on Canal+, while UK viewers watched through TNT Sports’ linear channel and streaming service. American audiences had access through Paramount+’s dedicated Champions League coverage.

UEFA Champions League viewing

UEFA sells broadcast rights regionally, meaning coverage varies by country. The governing body also offers its own streaming service, UEFA TV, for some markets, though live match coverage typically requires a domestic broadcaster’s subscription.

PSG vs Aston Villa lineups

The confirmed starting lineups for both legs came from UEFA’s official match documentation and were corroborated by club sources. Unai Emery made eight changes to Villa’s starting eleven for the first leg, resting key players for the second meeting.

First leg starting lineups

Gianluigi Donnarumma started in goal for PSG in both legs. The defensive line featured Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pereira, and Mendes. In midfield, Vitinha and Neves provided the passing foundation, with Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia, and Barcola supporting striker Ramos.

Second leg lineups

Both sides named largely unchanged lineups for the second meeting at Villa Park. Emery retained more of his first-choice players after rotating heavily for the Paris trip. Emery’s eight changes in the first leg raised eyebrows but proved strategic, with Villa’s stronger second-leg lineup nearly completing an unlikely comeback.

Key players

Several players stood out across the two legs. Hakimi scored in the 11th minute of the second leg and served as captain in the first. Kvaratskhelia’s goal in the 49th minute of the first leg demonstrated his finishing ability. McGinn scored in the 55th minute of the second leg as Villa pushed for the equaliser.

Who goes through Aston Villa or PSG?

PSG advanced to the Champions League semi-finals with a 5-4 aggregate victory. Despite Villa winning the second leg 3-2 at Villa Park on April 15, 2025, the first-leg deficit proved insurmountable. The attendance at Villa Park was 42,535.

Aggregate result

The first leg ended 3-1 to PSG at Parc des Princes, giving the French side a two-goal buffer. Villa needed to win by at least two goals in the second leg to force extra time. Goals from Tielemans, McGinn, and Konsa put Villa 3-2 ahead on the night, but the aggregate remained 4-3 to PSG until the final moments.

PSG advances

Mendes’ stoppage-time goal in the first leg proved decisive. Without it, Villa would have needed only a one-goal margin victory in Birmingham to advance. PSG will now face either Arsenal or Real Madrid in the semi-final, depending on the outcome of that quarterfinal tie.

Aston Villa were so close, but it’s PSG who go through to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

— Match Report Summary

Match Statistics

The second leg at Villa Park produced a different tactical picture than the first meeting. Villa dominated several statistical categories despite losing 3-2, demonstrating their attacking intent throughout the 90 minutes.

The possession disparity reflected Villa’s game plan: sit deep, absorb pressure, and hit on the counter. Their 17 shots and 9 on target showed they created dangerous chances despite playing with less of the ball. The equal number of corners indicated competitive set-piece battles throughout.

Key Substitutions

Both managers used their substitutes strategically across the two legs. Emery’s approach in the first leg—resting eight starters—stood out as a bold tactical decision that nearly paid off. PSG made fewer changes, with manager Luis Enrique opting for continuity.

Villa’s triple substitution in the 67th minute—bringing on Ugarte, Asensio, and fresh legs for tired starters—shifted the momentum visibly. Barkley’s late introduction added creativity as Villa pushed for a fourth goal that never came.

Confirmed and Unconfirmed Details

The Champions League quarterfinal produced a mix of verified information and lingering questions. Certain details were confirmed through official sources, while others remain unclear or unverified.

Related reading: Barcelona vs Inter Milan – Head-to-Head Record and 2025 Analysis

PSG rotated their squad significantly between legs, much like the shifts detailed in the confirmed teams breakdown, en route to a thrilling 5-4 aggregate win.

Frequently asked questions

What comes next

PSG’s advancement marks their second consecutive Champions League semi-final appearance, underlining their status as genuine European contenders. The French champions will face either Arsenal or Real Madrid, depending on that quarterfinal outcome. Villa, meanwhile, can take pride in reaching the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in decades, even if elimination stings now.

For Villa manager Unai Emery, the experience of managing European knockout football will inform future campaigns. The eight changes in the first leg showed his tactical nous, even if the strategy ultimately fell short. Their Premier League form will now demand full attention as they balance domestic and European ambitions.

PSG now await their semi-final opponents, with the tie against Villa exposing defensive vulnerabilities that future opponents will look to exploit. However, the attacking firepower—with Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia, and Doué all contributing—gives Luis Enrique’s side genuine hope of reaching the Champions League final for the first time since 2020.