Villa Park, April 15, 2025 — Paris Saint-Germain held their nerve in a heart-stopping Champions League quarterfinal to edge past Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate, despite losing the second leg 3-2 on the night.

Carrying a 3-1 lead from the first leg, PSG looked to have wrapped things up early. Lightning-fast counter-attacks led to goals from fullbacks Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes in the opening 30 minutes, quieting the raucous Villa Park crowd and stretching their overall lead to 5-1.

But Aston Villa weren’t done yet.

Youri Tielemans pulled one back in the 34th minute with a deflected effort that sparked life into the home side. The second half saw Villa come out firing, and in a stunning two-minute burst, John McGinn and Ezri Konsa found the net to make it 3-2 on the night and 5-4 on aggregate.

With the momentum fully on Villa’s side, the Premier League outfit pushed for a fourth. Wave after wave of attacks tested PSG’s resolve, but Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma came to the rescue time and again with crucial saves that ultimately secured the French side’s place in the semifinals.

It was a narrow escape for PSG, whose quest for a maiden Champions League crown continues. They now await the winner of the Real Madrid vs Arsenal tie in what promises to be another blockbuster semifinal.

Villa may be out, but they leave with pride after a spirited performance that nearly pulled off one of the great European comebacks.