Aston Villa vs Paris Saint-Germain : predictions, lineups and betting tips
The upcoming UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa promises to be a fascinating encounter at the Parc des Princes. This historic first competitive meeting between the sides comes after PSG eliminated Liverpool on penalties in the previous round, while Villa impressively dispatched Club Brugge with a commanding 6-1 aggregate score. The match marks a significant return for Unai Emery, who managed PSG between 2016-2018, now leading Villa in their first Champions League campaign in over three decades. The French champions will be hoping their home advantage counts against an in-form English side making waves in European football’s elite competition.
Match details & how to watch
The highly anticipated Champions League quarter-final first leg between PSG and Aston Villa kicks off on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at the iconic Parc des Princes in Paris. Fans can catch all the action at 3:00 PM EDT, 8:00 PM BST, or 12:30 AM IST (April 10). Italian official Maurizio Mariani will take charge of proceedings, with compatriot Marco Di Bello overseeing VAR duties for this crucial European fixture.
UK viewers can watch the match live on BT Sport, while US audiences can tune in on CBS Sports and Paramount+. The return leg at Villa Park will be equally crucial regardless of the first leg outcome, with both teams eyeing a potential semi-final spot. PSG’s journey to this stage included a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Liverpool, while Villa have impressed by comprehensively outplaying Club Brugge across both legs of their Round of 16 tie.
Team news & predicted lineups
Paris Saint-Germain team updates
Luis Enrique faces some selection challenges as PSG will be without captain Marquinhos due to yellow card accumulation for this first leg. Kang-In Lee remains unavailable with an ankle injury that has sidelined him in recent weeks. Lucas Beraldo is expected to slot into the defense to replace the suspended Brazilian. Better news comes with Ousmane Dembele, Joao Neves, and Bradley Barcola all set to return to the starting XI after being rested in domestic action, giving PSG significant attacking firepower.
| Position | Player | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Defender | Marquinhos | Suspended |
| Midfielder | Kang-In Lee | Injured (ankle) |
Aston Villa squad situation
Unai Emery enjoys a relatively clean bill of health heading into this crucial fixture. Ross Barkley and Leon Bailey are nearing returns but may still miss out on the trip to Paris. Marco Asensio is eligible to face his parent club in an interesting subplot to the match. Several key players including John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Matty Cash, Lucas Digne, and Marcus Rashford are all expected to return to Villa’s starting lineup after being rested for domestic duties.
Expected formations
- PSG likely 4-3-3: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Beraldo, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Barcola/Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia/Barcola
- Villa probable 4-2-3-1: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres/Mings, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Rogers, McGinn/Asensio, Rashford; Watkins
Current form analysis
PSG’s momentum
The French champions enter this match riding a wave of excellent form with five consecutive wins across all competitions. Their recent results include a professional 1-0 victory over Angers, a commanding 4-2 win at Dunkerque, and an emphatic 6-1 thrashing of Saint-Etienne. PSG have already secured their 13th Ligue 1 title with games to spare, allowing Luis Enrique to focus entirely on European glory. Their narrow 1-0 victory at Anfield in the previous round showcased their tactical discipline and ability to perform on the biggest stage.
Aston Villa’s impressive run
Villa arrive in Paris carrying remarkable momentum of their own, currently on a seven-game winning streak that spans domestic and European competitions. Recent successes include a hard-fought 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest, an impressive 3-0 away victory at Brighton, and a professional 3-0 cup win at Preston. Their European credentials were firmly established when they dismantled Club Brugge 3-0 at Villa Park. Emery’s side have been ruthlessly efficient, combining defensive solidity with clinical finishing during this exceptional run of form.
Betting tips & score prediction
Key players to watch
Ousmane Dembele enters this fixture in exceptional form with 32 goals in 40 games across all competitions, including 20 in his last 15 matches. Gianluigi Donnarumma, PSG’s last-line of defense, proved decisive against Liverpool with crucial saves in the penalty shootout. For Villa, Ollie Watkins remains their primary goal threat despite a recent scoring drought, while Marcus Rashford knows what it takes to score at the Parc des Princes from his Manchester United days.
- PSG danger men: Dembele, Donnarumma, Kvaratskhelia
- Villa threats: Watkins, Rashford, Rogers
Best betting options
| Bet | Odds |
|---|---|
| PSG win or draw and over 2.5 goals | -146 |
| Dembele anytime goalscorer | +105 |
| Second half as highest scoring | +102 |
| Match to end in a draw | 4/5 |
| PSG 1-1 Aston Villa | 7/1 |
Expert prediction
While Aston Villa’s form cannot be overlooked, PSG’s significant home advantage at the Parc des Princes should prove decisive in this first leg. The most likely outcome appears to be a 2-1 victory for the Parisians, with Dembele almost certain to continue his scoring form. However, Villa’s tactical discipline under Emery could frustrate the hosts, potentially securing a valuable away goal. Regardless of the result in Paris, the second leg at Villa Park will be absolutely crucial in determining who advances to the semi-finals of this season’s Champions League.
