In what was another Champions League classic on Tuesday night, PSG secured an astonishing 5-4 total victory over Aston Villa and was dragged into the semi-finals.
Last week, they raided towards a first leg 3-1 victory in Paris, where they remained command superior, and PSG got off to the start of their dreams 11 minutes after Achraf Hakimi kept a home.
Things have improved for Luis Enrique’s part as they are firmly considered a major Champions League competitor this season, as Nuno Mendes doubled the French lead, leading to temporary silence of home support.
However, Tuesday’s guest may have been fully controlled during the opening half hour, but Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans pulled one back before the interval as his biased shots neutralised Gianluigi Donnarumma.
After a halftime break, Villa rekindled their semi-final dreams as John McGinn and Ezri Consa bagged a quick fire brace that was separated in just a few seconds.
Villa may have thrown a PSG kitchen sink as Donnarumma denied the Tielemans thanks to a great reflex stop, but the French heavyweight managed to regain a measure of calmness and dragged him to the finish line.
The Villa may have ultimately experienced a broken heart in the Midlands, but they must secure a famous 3-2 victory in the evening and take many positive hosts away from the club’s iconic opportunities.
On the night PSG moved one step to the European silverware maiden, we saw the main story points from Tuesday’s showdown.
PSG drags itself into the Final Four
More than deserving a first-leg 3-1 victory in Paris last week, PSG certainly highlights its position as a leading contender in the Champions League this season.
With a trip to Midland on Tuesday night and earning all of the past 16 consecutive appearances outside of Paris, PSG was confident in laying another public marker here.
But despite sending packing Premier League Giants Liverpool last month and putting up a ramp-extended first half display on Tuesday night, Enrique’s side still has work to do and will be frustrated by the collapse in foreign soil.
The free-scoring French heavyweight may have made a big leap towards sensational European and domestic sweeps, but PSG knows the importance of finding some important defensive steels.
The former Barcelona boss, who had to get into luck later, could feel that Tuesday’s roller coaster event in the Midlands was a perfect eye-opener for his superstar team.
Villa wins the battle, but loses the war
Marking a return to the Midlands on Tuesday night, I always knew they were hoping for a real Champions League miracle.
But while Unai Emery’s men may have ultimately been short of short to crush more European records here, Villa should remove a series of positives from the iconic night of fans.
Supported by vocal home support at Villa Park, Villa showed all the characters, fitting what was an astonishing comeback against the PSG team, painted in pencil as an outstanding competitor to win the Maiden Champions League crown.
Securing the famous second leg victory at night, causing many problems with both feet on the French high flyer, the villa cannot afford to show signs of an emotional hangover when paying attention to domestic duties.
Heading towards the final six Premier League matchups of the season, the Emery men are now drifting one point, one point drifting, returning to the Champions League spot and booking another campaign at the top table in Europe.
PSG’s attention changes to Madrid
PSG may be bent on the road to yet another League One title this season, but while it doesn’t really need to get out of third gear, it’s no secret that the Maiden Champions League crown is the perfect focus.
Enrique’s camp may have missed the chance to book a semi-final spot with another statement of intent, but they take a step closer and all attention will turn into Wednesday’s showdown in Madrid.
The former Barcelona boss has set up an appetizing final four showdown for either Real Madrid or Arsenal.
Last week, Arsenal sat firmly in the driver’s seat when he traveled to the Spanish capital on Wednesday night, watching gunners raid on a sensational 3-0 victory in North London.
But as PSG narrowly avoids what was the infamous Champions League collapse here, Arsenal would know that the job isn’t perfect and the Los Blancos can complete another famous comeback.
Match Report
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Consusa, Torres, Digne, Kamara, Onana, Tilletmans, McGinn, Rogers, Rashford
submarine: Ramsey, Matzen, Asensio, Watkins, Berkley
PSG: Donnarumma, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes, Ruiz, Vitinha, Neves, Boat, Kvaratskhelia
submarine: Do
the goal: Aston Villa: Tillémans (34′), McGinn (55′), Kona (57′) – psg: hakimi (11′), Mendes (27′)
Yellow Card: McGin
Red card: n/a
Judgment: Jose Maria Sanchez