Aston Villa and PSG Battle to Thrilling 1-1 Draw in Quarterfinal

PARIS, France — Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain played to a draw in a tense UEFA quarterfinal match on April 9, 2025. The two clubs ended the first leg tied 1-1 at the Parc des Princes, setting the stage for a riveting return match next week.

Emiliano Martínez, the Aston Villa goalkeeper, was instrumental in keeping the game level for the visitors, as he made several key saves, including a dramatic stop against Désiré Doué just minutes before the halftime whistle.

Aston Villa struck first in the 34th minute through Morgan Rogers, who capitalized on a low cross from Youri Tielemans. Rogers’s quick reaction allowed him to push the ball past PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma, giving Villa an unexpected advantage.

However, the home team responded in the 39th minute. Doué, freshly unmarked on the left flank, unleashed a powerful strike that found the top corner of the net, equalizing the score at 1-1 right before the break.

Throughout the first half, Martínez’s presence was felt as he made crucial saves, including a stunning effort just moments before PSG’s equalizer. His reflexes were on full display as he deflected a close-range effort, preventing PSG from taking the lead.

“We came into this match with a strong defensive strategy, and I think we executed it well,” Martínez said post-match. “PSG is a challenging opponent, but we held our ground and looked for opportunities to counter.”

As the second half unfolded, manager Unai Emery made a tactical substitution, replacing Matthew Cash with Axel Disasi to bolster the Villa defense and maintain pressure on the PSG forwards.

In the 48th minute, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had a chance to put PSG ahead but was thwarted once again by Martínez’s swift reaction. Aston Villa’s defense remained resolute against PSG’s relentless attacking pace.

The return leg of this quarterfinal is scheduled for April 15, 2025, at Villa Park, where Aston Villa will aim to secure a spot in the UEFA semifinals.