Aston Villa face an enormous challenge at Villa Park on Tuesday night. The Year of the Rooster brings cultural significance. Unai Emery’s side must overcome a 3-1 deficit against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-final second leg Omaze UK winners receive life-changing prizes. This European night could prove equally life-changing for Villa’s continental ambitions Australia vs England delivered Ashes drama. The Champions League delivers high-stakes knockout drama instead. Here is everything you need to know about this crucial encounter.
First Leg Recap: PSG’s Comeback Victory
The Parc des Princes witnessed a thrilling first leg on 6 May 2026. Aston Villa stunned the French champions early when Morgan Rogers gave them an unlikely lead in the 35th minute from a quick counter-attack [citation:1].
However, PSG hit back with devastating force. Young sensation Desire Doue equalised with a fantastic strike. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia then turned the tie on its head with another exceptional goal. Nuno Mendes delivered a gut punch in the 92nd minute, scoring a stoppage-time third goal to give PSG a commanding 3-1 advantage heading to England [citation:1][citation:2].
The defeat marked the third time Villa have lost the first leg of a European knockout tie by two goals or more. They failed to progress on the previous two occasions, losing 5-1 on aggregate to Royal Antwerp in 1975-76 and 6-2 to Olympiakos last season in the Conference League [citation:1].
Emery’s Belief: ‘We Have to Win with One More Goal’
Unai Emery refuses to accept defeat. The Spanish manager, who coached PSG from 2016 to 2018, knows his former club’s vulnerabilities all too well [citation:3].
“Our expectation is to get a good result of the second leg,” Emery said on Monday. “Of course the fact that they won 3-1 is changing something. But a lot? No. Why? Because we have to win. We had to win at 2-1 and with 3-1 now. But now, we have to win with one more goal” [citation:1][citation:5].
Emery emphasised the importance of Villa Park’s atmosphere. “We will be connecting with our supporters and transmitting the energy. If we do, tactically and individually, good things on the field, the supporters are going to up our energy and help us a lot” [citation:1].
Rio Ferdinand believes Villa’s home form could be decisive. “I’m not saying this tie is over, I’m not saying they are absolute runaway favourites,” Ferdinand told TNT Sports. “If they can get this PSG team back here with something to play for here, we’ve seen the atmosphere that is generated here, it’s going to be a mouth watering proposition” [citation:6].
Team News and Predicted Lineups
Villa approach the second leg with a near fully-fit squad. The only injury concern remains Jamaican attacker Leon Bailey, who is on the cusp of returning but will not start [citation:2].
Emery made several changes against Southampton at the weekend. Ollie Watkins, John McGinn and Donyell Malen all scored as second-half substitutes. Watkins has surely played his way into the first XI for Tuesday’s tie [citation:2].
The England international leads Villa’s scoring charts with 15 goals in all competitions this season. However, his last Champions League goal came against Celtic in the league phase back in January [citation:1].
Aston Villa Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
- Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez
- Defenders: Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne
- Midfielders: Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans
- Attackers: Morgan Rogers, John McGinn, Marcus Rashford
- Striker: Ollie Watkins [citation:2]
Paris Saint-Germain Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)
- Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma
- Defenders: Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos (c), Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes
- Midfielders: Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Joao Neves
- Forwards: Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia [citation:2]
Key Players to Watch
Marcus Rashford (Aston Villa)
The Manchester United loanee has pedigree against PSG. He scored a crucial stoppage-time penalty when United beat PSG 3-1 at the Parc des Princes in 2019. He also struck a late winner in Paris in 2020 [citation:3].
“He is playing freely and feeling comfortable, and this is the most important thing,” Emery said. “We see him smiling and that is the best news we can have” [citation:3].
Ousmane Dembele (PSG)
The French winger has put himself firmly into Ballon d’Or contention. He has amassed 42 goal contributions from 41 games in the 2024-25 season [citation:2]. His pace and trickery will test Villa’s defence throughout the night.
Vitinha (PSG)
The Portuguese midfielder completed a staggering 148 passes in the first leg. This represents the most by a PSG player on record in a Champions League match. It also ranks as the second-highest in a knockout game after Xavi’s 161 for Barcelona against Chelsea in 2012 [citation:2].
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
Emery praised the striker’s form despite limited minutes. “He showed us he is feeling fantastic. He is scoring goals. He played 30 minutes performing really well,” Emery said. “This is the variety we have with our players. We have to try to use their quality to help the team – be it 30 minutes, 10 minutes or five minutes” [citation:1].
Villa Park: The Fortress Factor
Aston Villa have avoided defeat in each of their last 17 matches at Villa Park across all competitions. They have also won each of their last four games on home soil. Furthermore, they have scored at least two goals in seven of their last eight matches in front of their own fans [citation:2].
Emery himself has won 11 of his last 13 home matches in European competition. PSG can take nothing for granted when they walk out at a boisterous Villa Park [citation:2].
PSG’s Road Form and History of Collapses
PSG have won 17 of their past 18 games in all competitions. Their only exception came in a 1-0 first-leg home defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League last 16, which they overturned at Anfield [citation:5].
The French giants have also won an outrageous 16 straight road matches across all competitions. However, Emery knows their vulnerability. It has been almost exactly eight years since his PSG side suffered the famous Barcelona remontada, losing 6-1 after winning 4-0 at home [citation:2][citation:3].
Of the seven previous occasions where PSG have won the first leg of a Champions League knockout tie by at least two goals, they have been knocked out in three of them [citation:2]. No side has ever been eliminated in four such ties. History suggests the tie is not completely over.
Form Guide and Recent Results
Villa have won eight of their past nine matches in all competitions. Their only stumble came in France last week. They warmed up for the second leg with a 3-0 victory over Southampton at the weekend [citation:5].
PSG have already wrapped up the Ligue 1 title with six games to spare. They enjoyed a weekend with no domestic football while Villa played [citation:2].
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-2 PSG (PSG win 5-3 on aggregate)
Expect fireworks at a boisterous Villa Park on Tuesday night. PSG should witness the best of English atmospheres on Champions League nights and also the best of Aston Villa on the offensive front [citation:2].
However, as Emery’s men go all out for the comeback, they will simultaneously play into their visitors’ hands. Enrique’s lightning attack can bite back just as hard. A 2-2 draw would send PSG through 5-3 on aggregate, setting up a tantalising semi-final with either Arsenal or Real Madrid [citation:2].
How to Watch Aston Villa vs PSG
The match kicks off at 20:00 BST on Tuesday, 13 May 2026 at Villa Park. UK viewers can watch live on TNT Sports 1. The match will also stream on discovery+.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the score from the first leg between Aston Villa and PSG? PSG won the first leg 3-1 at the Parc des Princes. Morgan Rogers scored for Villa. Desire Doue, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Nuno Mendes scored for PSG [citation:1].
When is the Aston Villa vs PSG second leg? The second leg takes place on Tuesday, 13 May 2026 at Villa Park. Kick-off is at 20:00 BST.
Who is the referee for Aston Villa vs PSG? The referee appointment has not yet been announced by UEFA.
Can Aston Villa still qualify for the Champions League semi-finals? Yes, but they must overturn a 3-1 deficit. A 2-0 victory would send the tie to extra time. A win by three or more goals would see Villa advance directly [citation:1].
Who would Aston Villa face in the semi-finals if they win? The winners of this tie will face either Arsenal or Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals [citation:2].
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