Champions League Quarter-Final: PSG Hosts Aston Villa Tonight in Paris

PARIS, France — Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) takes on Aston Villa in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final tonight at 8:00 p.m. local time at Parc des Princes. This match marks a crucial moment for both teams as they aim for advancement in one of Europe’s premier football competitions.

Italian referee Maurizio Mariani will officiate the match, supported by assistants Daniele Bindoni and Alberto Tegoni, with Simone Sozza serving as the fourth official. The VAR team includes Marco Di Bello and Luca Pairetto.

PSG, coming off a successful campaign, hopes to capitalize on their home advantage. They are notably without captain Marquinhos, who is suspended, and Kang-in Lee, sidelined due to injury. However, PSG can count on the return of several key players including Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Bradley Barcola, and Ousmane Dembélé, who has been in remarkable form, scoring seven goals in his last six Champions League appearances.

The starting lineup for PSG is expected to feature Gianluigi Donnarumma; Achraf Hakimi, Lucas Beraldo, Pacho, and Nuno Mendes in defense; Joao Neves, Vitinha, and Fabian Ruiz in midfield; with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé, and Barcola leading the attack.

Aston Villa has made a surprising impact this season, making it to the quarter-finals after a commendable league phase. They will be without Ross Barkley, who has a calf injury, while Donyell Malen and Morgan Rogers have been included in the mix for selection. Marco Asensio, on loan from PSG, has already made his mark for Villa, scoring three goals since joining the team.

Villa’s potential starting lineup includes Emiliano Martínez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, and Lucas Digne in defense; Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans in midfield; with John McGinn, Asensio, and Ollie Watkins or Marcus Rashford leading the front line.

As both teams gear up for a thrilling encounter, predictions lean towards PSG taking a narrow victory, with many estimating a scoreline of 2-1 in their favor.