Paris Saint-Germain v Aston Villa: Line-ups, stats and preview

Paris Saint-Germain proved against Liverpool that this is a different team to the one that flattered to deceive in previous Champions League campaigns.

Gone are the big names – Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar etc – and in their stead has come a cohesive unit superbly moulded by Luis Enrique into a fearsome unit.

Yes, they still have players that are pivotal to the way they play, in particular the spine of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marquinhos, Vitinha and Ousmane Dembele, but it appears to be a team of players that are willing to graft to ensure PSG lift their maiden Champions League crown.

The results back that up. Since December 10, the only blips in all competitions have been a 1-1 draw at Lens in the Coupe de France (they still won the game on penalties), a 1-1 draw at home to Reims in Ligue 1 and the 1-0 reverse against Liverpool at the Parc des Princes in a match they dominated from start to finish.

They secured their ninth successive Ligue 1 win at the weekend, defeating Angers 1-0 and were able to rest the likes of Dembele, Nuno Mendes and Joao Neves.

⚽️ L'entraînement veille de match avant Aston Villa FC 🔴🔵 https://t.co/AkRWmwX2Mn

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_inside) April 8, 2025

It adds up to a formidable challenge for Villa but they, too, can point to solid form as a reason for optimism.

Unai Emery’s side have won their last seven in all competitions – including Saturday’s vital 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest – and the January additions of Marco Asensio, Marcus Rashford, Donyell Malen, Andres Garcia and Axel Disasi have added strength in depth to a squad that at times had looked a little thin prior to Christmas.

Team news for Paris Saint-Germain v Aston Villa

All PSG’s big guns will return after being rested against Angers and it should be a similar side to the one that faced Liverpool.

Their only absentee – and it’s a significant one – is captain Marquinhos who is suspended. Lucas Beraldo is expected to deputise.

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Emery has options and his rotational policy over recent weeks makes it difficult to predict his starting XI – something that may add an element of confusion for PSG.

Two players who definitely won’t appear at the Parc des Princes are Malen and Garcia as Villa could only register three of their five mid-season signings.

Asensio is eligible to play against his parent club but may have to settle for a place on the bench if Emery tries to keep it tight ahead of the return at Villa Park.

Predicted line-ups for Paris Saint-Germain v Aston Villa

Paris Saint-Germain: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Pacho, Beraldo, Mendes; Neves, Ruiz, Vitinha; Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia

Aston Villa: Martinez; Disasi, Konsa, Mings, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn: Rogers, Ramsey, Rashford.