Paris Saint-Germain Cruise Past Villa 3-1 in Champions League Showdown

Paris Saint-Germain hosts Aston Villa at the Parc des Princes for the first-leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on April 9. The Parisians who eliminated Liverpool in the round of 16 are facing another Premier League club in a match-up that will see them face many of their former players and coaches like Lucas Digne, Unai Emery and Marco Asensio, loaned by the club in January.

For this game, Luis Enrique who will coach his 100th game with the club, will have to do whithout his captain, Marquinhos who is suspended. The Brazilian is replaced the the starting lineup by Beraldo. The midfield trio is composed of Vitinha, Joao Neves and Fabian Ruiz. Additionally, in-form Désiré Doué is given a starting berth by his coach and will lead the front line with Dembélé and Kvaratskhelia, while Barcola is on the bench.

Paris Saint-Germain's starting XI:Donnarumma; Pacho, Beraldo, Nuno Mendes, Hakimi; Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Joao Neves; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia.

Aston Villa's starting XI: Martinez; Konsa, Pau Torres, Cash, Digne; Tielemans, Kamara, McGinn, Rogers, Ramsey; Rashford.

PSG 3 vs 1 Aston Villa: Paris dominated Villa in the first-leg

PSG cruised past Aston Villa in the first-leg of the Champions League quarterfinal thanks to goals from Doué, Kvaratskhelia and Nuno Mendes. The French champions took a solid advantage ahead of the second-leg next week.

Paris started the game strong, taking control of the game in the first 15 minutes while creating chances. In the period, the visitors had tremendous difficulties to go forward thanks to PSG's great pressing.

Completely against the run of play, Aston Villa opened the score through Rogers on their first opportunity (35'). The goal came as McGinn recovered the ball high on Nuno Mendes, leading to a thunderous counterattack.

Four minutes later, in-form Désiré Doué tied the score on the evening with a wonderful long-range effort that left no chance to Martinez (39'). Both sides went into the half-time break with the hosts looking to finally take the lead in a game they dominated from the start.

Three minutes into the second half, Kvaratskhelia put his side on top in this game after a wonderful solo raid (49'). The Georgia international mesmerised substitute Disasi and saw his thunderous strike go in Martinez near post.

Nuno Mendes sealed Paris' victory in added time and gave a solid advantage to his side ahead of the second-leg (90+2').

Up Next, Paris will face Aston Villa in the second-leg of this Champions League quarterfinal on April 15 at Villa Park. The French champions do not have any league games in between and will be able to fully rest and focus on the second game of this tie.

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