Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Champions League match.
The opening leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain (1:3) highlighted the current disparity in development between the two teams. Paris Saint-Germain are not only poised to progress to the next round but are among the leading contenders for the title — something they are expected to reaffirm in Birmingham.
Aston Villa
At the Parc des Princes, Aston Villa managed only two shots on target in 90 minutes while holding just 25% of possession. The squad, typically reliant on a possession-based approach, ceded control in midfield and struggled to impose their style. In their last 15 home fixtures, Aston Villa have kept a clean sheet on only three occasions. The absence of Andrés García and Leon Bailey limits the options available on the bench.
Paris Saint-Germain
Since their 0:1 defeat to Liverpool five weeks ago, Paris Saint-Germain have embarked on a new winning run — now extended to seven consecutive victories. In the first leg against Aston Villa, they posted 1.95 xG from a total of 29 attempts. A trio of goals from Désiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Nuno Mendes underlined the strength of their attacking play. It is likely that Luis Enrique will stick with the same tactical approach for the second leg, especially after resting key players in their domestic fixture over the weekend.
Aston Villa vs Paris Saint-Germain Prediction
At home, Aston Villa are expected to push for an early goal through a high-intensity start, but Paris Saint-Germain’s defence should be prepared for such a scenario. Paris Saint-Germain are likely to dictate the tempo once again and appear better positioned to secure the win, making their place in the semi-finals a near certainty.
