Aston Villa sets the trap as PSG tries to escape another Champions scare | OneFootball

Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain meet again this Tuesday, and the atmosphere is far from jolly. On the one side, a PSG that built a 3-1 lead in the first leg and arrives at Villa Park with the situation under control. On the other, a Villa that doesn't back down but is aware of what it has to do: win by at least two goals and survive possible extra time. If the total is equal, the tie is broken on penalties.

Luis Enrique was candid: "Favorites? The road to the Champions League is paved with favorite teams eliminated." The message is not one of respect. PSG has the advantage, not certainty. And he knows it.

Paris Saint-Germain v Aston Villa FC - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg | Michael Steele/GettyImages

PSG with the edge, but with memory

Luis Enrique has seen it all in the Champions League. He's been beaten, he's come back from losing positions, he's been knocked out when no one was anticipating it. And he doesn't want to go through that script again. PSG is playing away, but the coach guarantees that's not a problem: "We like playing at home and away. It's not a problem, but a stimulus." It's a way of saying that outside pressure doesn't faze them. But it's also a straight response to the energy Emery says he anticipates from Villa Park.

The Spanish coach also covered himself against any aura of conceit. "We won the first leg, but we're not through yet, because we have this ambition to win." And that's the plan: PSG has the advantage going in, but the plan is to finish the game.

Unai Emery tries to lead the team by emotion

The Villa boss won't argue it away — he accepts that the first leg made life tough. But he isn't accepting defeat. "Now, we need to win with an extra goal in our hope." The sentence may be confusing, but it is one of reflection from a manager to maintain an even keel tone even amid such a handicap it deserves. Emery tries to take control of the narrative, despite not having the upper hand at this juncture.

And he’s betting on the home factor. “If we’re connecting with our fans, if we’re transmitting positive energy… the fans are going to help us a lot with their energy.” Emery knows that tactically, PSG has more. Technically, too. But emotionally, playing at home can even things out. And when the atmosphere heats up, even the most technical teams can stumble.

The strategy is not to abandon any scenario

FBL-EUR-C1-PSG-ASTON VILLA | BERTRAND GUAY/GettyImages

Emery isn't afraid to admit that he's playing with everything on the table. Winning in regulation, extra time, penalties. It's all a possibility. "Our plan also is: if we have extra time, fantastic, and if we have penalties, that can also be fantastic."

The coach repeats the importance of having a good tactical plan and being constant emotionally for the 90 minutes. "Our goal is to try to play with a clear tactical plan tomorrow and, subsequently, try to be consistent." It's a speech that tries to push the group to rise to the level of the game, even under limited scope for error.

Against this a well-established PSG

Luis Enrique knows that complacency is a risk. That is why he was adamant about making sure everyone knows that the team will not step onto the field to simply go through the motions: "We want to try to solve the problems that Aston Villa will give us. Our objective is to win." The speech is firm because it needs to be. The Champions League does not tolerate lack of focus.

The coach’s posture is that of someone who wants to shut down any “we already won” mindset right in the interview. He’s seen favoritism turn into tragedy. The advantage exists, but the performance still needs to happen. “If we’re prepared to suffer, we’re prepared to win.”