
PSG end Aston Villa's European run after epic fightback falls just short
Unai Emery will always shudder at mention of La Remontada. It came to define his time as the manager of Paris Saint-Germain, the inexplicable Champions League defeat to Luis Enrique's Barcelona in 2017 after his team had held a 4-0 first-leg lead. Barcelona would end up needing three goals with 88 minutes of the second leg gone at the Camp Nou. They got them for a 6-5 aggregate victory.
On an epic night at Villa Park, the roles were reversed – and so nearly to cathartic effect for Emery. His Villa team were magnificent. They refused to believe that this showpiece Champions League quarter-final was over after Luis Enrique's PSG surged into a 2-0 lead on the night for a 5-1 aggregate advantage, the goals coming from their flying full-backs, Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes.
Villa needed four to force extra time. No away goals any more, of course. And when Youri Tieleman got the first on 34 minutes, it was just the start.
It was a second half that will live long in the memory of everybody present, Villa's showing cut and thrust to go with their conviction, John McGinn and Ezri Konsa on the scoresheet before the 60 minute mark. They were far from isolated thrusts. PSG have been painted as the best team in Europe in recent months. They were shadows in the second half, Villa producing a performance for the ages.
They had the chances to equalise, golden ones. What a story it would have been if Marco Asensio, on as a substitute to face his parent club, had not been denied by Gianluigi Donnaumma in a one-on-one. Or Konsa had not blown a header from a whipped free-kick from the outstanding Marcus Rashford. At the very end, another substitute Ian Maatsen saw a goalbound shot blocked by Willian Pacho. It looked as though Donnarumma was beaten. PSG celebrated that like a goal of their own. They had survived. Just.
Emery's one change from the first leg had hinted at pragmatism – Amadou Onana in, Jacob Ramsey out – but it was optimism that ran riot in the home crowd at kick-off time, Prince William among the believers in the stands. Hi Ho Aston Villa was an assault on the eardrums, although it was incongruous to hear the music selector play the Europa League theme tune over the PA system. The atmosphere pulsed, the PSG fans more than playing their part.
Hakimi helped to settle PSG because Villa did bring the storm at the outset, Morgan Rogers catching the eye with a couple of swashbuckling runs. Villa pushed through Marcus Rashford but when he was dispossessed by Marquinhos, PSG moved the ball from their right to the left and then up to Bradley Barcola with clinical precision.
It was certainly a show of strength from Luis Enrique when he started Barcola ahead of Désiré Doué, one of the stars of the first leg. But as everybody knows, Barcola has tremendous quality and speed. His low cross was behind Pau Torres, who moved towards the ball and then left it for Emiliano Martínez, who had to have seen the ball late and could only push out towards Hakimi. It was on a plate for him.
PSG's second also spoke to Luis Enrique's spirit of adventure because once again it was a full-back applying the final brushstrokes to a counterattacking masterpiece. PSG won the ball inside their own area and it was a blur of blue as they moved decisively upfield, Hakimi was prominent before Ousmane Dembélé went square to Mendes. The finish was lovely; a dart away from Matty Cash and a curler that kissed the post on its way in.
Villa had flickered at 1-0. Torres blasted too close to Gianluigi Donnarumma while Rogers took a pass from Tielemans and curled just wide. They deserved the Tielemans goal which was teed up by a reverse pass by McGinn after an excellent move involving Rashford. Tielemans's shot flicked home off Willian Pacho.
It was feisty and there was uproar when McGinn went down in the area after a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge from Hakimi on 36 minutes. Hard but fair, said the referee José Maria Sánchez. No penalty. Hakimi kicked up and out at McGinn as the pair tangled on the ground and he was very lucky not to make any contact.
Sign up to Football Daily
Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football
after newsletter promotion
PSG might have had another before the interval only for Fabián Ruiz to scuff his shot slightly when well placed.
Emery's transformation of Villa has been remarkable, very much of a piece with the magic he has sprinkled at his previous clubs, especially in Europe.
This was the 14th season in 17 that he had competed in the knockout rounds of one Uefa competition or another.
He needed the mother and father of all comebacks as the second half started and yet there was no diluting Villa's belief. They continued to bring the intensity, to play their football. The crowd stayed with them, how they stayed with them and by the hour mark, Villa were back in it. PSG squinted into the whirlwind.
Rashford exploded to life. He had extended Donnarumma in the 51st minute as PSG panicked at the back and his cut-back for Konsa's low shot for 3-2 on the night followed a nutmeg on Ruiz and a swerve away from Vitinha. Moments earlier, he had extended Donnarumma after a burst inside.
That had followed McGinn lighting the touchpaper with a run and shot from distance that looped over Donnarumma. Straight after the Konsa goal, Tielemans almost scored with a header, Donnarumma clawing over. Then Torres could not react in time to direct a header of his own. It was bedlam inside the stadium.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
30 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
‘We don't have much influence' – Tottenham star breaks ranks as he labels Ange Postecoglou sacking ‘strange'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MICKY VAN DE VEN has branded Tottenham's brutal axing of Ange Postecoglou as a 'strange decision'. Postecoglou was shown the door just 16 days after ending the club's 17-year trophy drought with Europa League glory in Bilbao. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Micky van de Ven has opened up on Ange Postecoglou's sacking Credit: Alamy 2 Postecoglou was dismissed earlier this month by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy Credit: Getty The North Londoners are very close to appointing Brentford boss Thomas Frank as his successor. Yet the decision to axe the Aussie is understood to have left many of the players disappointed given the success they enjoyed in Europe. And while on international duty with the Netherlands, centre-back Van de Ven, 24, said: 'As players, we don't have much to say about that. 'Of course, he was the first coach in a long time to win a trophy and have success at Spurs. READ MORE ON TOTTENHAM SPUR-N THE CHANCE Spurs qualify for competition no Prem team has won - but may not play it 'So, if you look at it that way, it's definitely a strange decision. 'But it's a decision made by the club, and we don't have much say in that, so we'll see what happens next. 'We're of course seeing some rumpus about the Brentford manager likely becoming the next one. 'So yes, it's a decision by the club that we don't have much influence over.' BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Daniel Levy decided to wield the axe after an awful Premier League campaign which saw Spurs finish 17th. They lost a club-record 22 league games, which was the first time ever a Prem team has managed that and NOT been relegated. BBC star shares shock theory as to why Tottenham waited exactly 16 days after Europa League win to sack Ange Postecoglou And yet Postecoglou ended the club's silverware curse with their Europa win, which also got them back into the Champions League. Most of the Spurs squad have been effusive in their praise of Postecoglou on social media following his sacking and what he did for them as players and as people. Van de Ven, who missed much of the league campaign through injury, added: 'I think a lot of players had a good relationship with him. Ange Breaks Silence On Tottenham Sacking ANGE Postecoglou issued a statement just moments after being axed. It read: "When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, my overriding emotion is one of pride. "The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. "Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget. "That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream. "There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible. "We have also laid the foundations that means this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success. "I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them. I sincerely want to thank those who are the lifeblood of the club, the supporters. "I know there were some difficult times, but I always felt that they wanted me to succeed and that gave me all the motivation I needed to push on. "It's important to acknowledge the hard working people at Spurs who gave me encouragement on a daily basis. "And finally, I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years. "A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special. 'We are forever connected. Audere est Facere.' 'And of course, like I said, he was the first coach in a long time to bring success to Spurs. 'That also shows he has a certain quality. It also means he has a winning mentality - one hundred per cent. 'So from that point of view, you'd naturally say it's strange that he was sacked. 'But of course, what we showed in the league was unacceptable. 'That, however, could have been due to several factors… it wouldn't have just been the coach.'


The Sun
30 minutes ago
- The Sun
‘We don't have much influence' – Tottenham star breaks ranks as he labels Ange Postecoglou sacking ‘strange'
MICKY VAN DE VEN has branded Tottenham's brutal axing of Ange Postecoglou as a 'strange decision'. Postecoglou was shown the door just 16 days after ending the club's 17-year trophy drought with Europa League glory in Bilbao. 2 2 The North Londoners are very close to appointing Brentford boss Thomas Frank as his successor. Yet the decision to axe the Aussie is understood to have left many of the players disappointed given the success they enjoyed in Europe. And while on international duty with the Netherlands, centre-back Van de Ven, 24, said: 'As players, we don't have much to say about that. 'Of course, he was the first coach in a long time to win a trophy and have success at Spurs. 'So, if you look at it that way, it's definitely a strange decision. 'But it's a decision made by the club, and we don't have much say in that, so we'll see what happens next. 'We're of course seeing some rumpus about the Brentford manager likely becoming the next one. 'So yes, it's a decision by the club that we don't have much influence over.' Daniel Levy decided to wield the axe after an awful Premier League campaign which saw Spurs finish 17th. They lost a club-record 22 league games, which was the first time ever a Prem team has managed that and NOT been relegated. BBC star shares shock theory as to why Tottenham waited exactly 16 days after Europa League win to sack Ange Postecoglou And yet Postecoglou ended the club's silverware curse with their Europa win, which also got them back into the Champions League. Most of the Spurs squad have been effusive in their praise of Postecoglou on social media following his sacking and what he did for them as players and as people. Van de Ven, who missed much of the league campaign through injury, added: 'I think a lot of players had a good relationship with him. Ange Breaks Silence On Tottenham Sacking ANGE Postecoglou issued a statement just moments after being axed. It read: "When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur, my overriding emotion is one of pride. "The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. "Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget. "That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work, dedication and unwavering belief in a dream. "There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible. "We have also laid the foundations that means this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success. "I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them. I sincerely want to thank those who are the lifeblood of the club, the supporters. "I know there were some difficult times, but I always felt that they wanted me to succeed and that gave me all the motivation I needed to push on. "It's important to acknowledge the hard working people at Spurs who gave me encouragement on a daily basis. "And finally, I want to thank those who were with me every day for the last two years. "A fantastic group of young men who are now legends of this football club and the brilliant coaches who never once doubted we could do something special. 'We are forever connected. Audere est Facere.' 'And of course, like I said, he was the first coach in a long time to bring success to Spurs. 'That also shows he has a certain quality. It also means he has a winning mentality - one hundred per cent. 'So from that point of view, you'd naturally say it's strange that he was sacked. 'But of course, what we showed in the league was unacceptable. 'That, however, could have been due to several factors… it wouldn't have just been the coach.'


Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Daniel Levy told to make Ange Postecoglou sacking U-turn in desperate plea
Tottenham are set to appoint Thomas Frank as their new manager after chairman Daniel Levy decided to sack Ange Postecoglou following the club's Europa League triumph Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has been urged to swallow his pride and reverse the decision to sack Ange Postecoglou. The Australian was dismissed as Spurs boss on Friday, but The Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Nick Reece, believes Levy will come to regret his choice. The Australian has lots of supporters at Spurs after ending the club's 17-year wait for a trophy by winning the Europa League with a 1-0 win over Manchester United in Bilbao. But he was sacked due to Tottenham 's dreadful league form, with the club finishing 17th in the Premier League after suffering 22 defeats. Postecoglou is set to be replaced by Brentford boss Thomas Frank, but Levy has faced plenty of backlash, with Micky van de Ven among calling the decision 'strange'. Spurs have entered talks with Brentford, who could be owed £10million in compensation for Frank, but the Mayor of Postecoglou's home city has desperately called for a re-think. 'On behalf of the people of Melbourne, and Premier League fans around the world, I call on Tottenham Hotspur FC to reconsider its decision to sack coach Ange Postecoglou,' Reece wrote in a statement on Instagram. "In @cityofmelbourne we have followed Ange's career closely for decades. He began his junior and senior career in Melbourne as a player and later coach at @southmelbournefc in the 1980s. "Never underestimate Ange's determination to win, and his ability to carry teams to greatness. We have seen this time again over his career. This year Tottenham made history by winning the Europa League trophy – its first such win in 17 years. We will see with further trophies follow if Ange is given the chance. "Don't let Tottenham be known as the team that is allergic to silverware. Let Ange lead the players onto greatness in next year's Premier League campaign." HAVE YOUR SAY! Was sacking Ange Postecoglou the right decision? Comment below. Postecoglou himself knows that Levy will not U-turn on his decision and has already been linked with another Premier League club. 'When I reflect on my time as manager of Tottenham Hotspur my overriding emotion is one of pride,' he said in a statement. 'The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime. Sharing that experience with all those who truly love this club and seeing the impact it had on them is something I will never forget. 'That night in Bilbao was the culmination of two years of hard work. dedication and unwavering belief in a dream. There were many challenges to overcome and plenty of noise that comes with trying to accomplish what many said was not possible. 'We have also laid foundations that mean this club should not have to wait 17 more years for their next success. I have enormous faith in this group of players and know there is much more potential and growth in them.'