Aston Villa manager Unai Emery remains optimistic about his team’s chances of overturning a 3-1 deficit when they face Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final at Villa Park on Tuesday.
Despite being convincingly beaten in the first leg at the Parc des Princes—where goals from Désiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and a late strike by Nuno Mendes put PSG in control—Emery is drawing on belief, experience, and home support as Villa aim for a memorable European night.
The challenge is formidable. PSG are in red-hot form, having won 17 of their last 18 matches in all competitions. The only blemish in that run was a 1-0 home loss to Liverpool in the round of 16—a tie they eventually won with a comeback at Anfield.
Moreover, the French champions haven’t lost a match by more than one goal since October and have suffered defeat just once in 47 games this season.
Still, Emery is no stranger to dramatic turnarounds, especially in the Champions League. He was on the receiving end of one of the competition’s most iconic comebacks when his PSG side squandered a 4-0 first-leg lead against Luis Enrique’s Barcelona in 2017, eventually losing 6-1 in the return leg.
Now, with roles reversed, Emery is determined to guide Villa to an unforgettable night.
“We are going to enjoy on Tuesday at Villa Park something very, very special for our supporters (and) for us,” said the Spaniard.
“The possibility and opportunity we have to try to face PSG and try to come back. Of course, it’s going to be difficult, but we have to feel strong at home and try to prepare as best as possible for the match.
“And try to transmit our energy, to get the supporters’ energy and then play the best football.
“When we are playing this year the best football, we can get it.”
Villa have been in fine form themselves. A 3-0 victory at Southampton over the weekend brought them within touching distance of the Premier League’s top four, while they also remain in contention in the FA Cup with a semi-final clash against Crystal Palace looming.
Key January signings—including Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio, Donyell Malen, and Axel Disasi—have significantly boosted Villa’s squad depth, a factor that Emery credits for their strong finish to the season. The weekend goals came courtesy of substitutes Ollie Watkins, Donyell Malen, and John McGinn, underlining their newfound bench strength.
“We didn’t achieve a lot of points at the beginning of the season, because we didn’t have enough players in the bench,” Emery explained.
“We joined in the transfer window, four players, really helping and really increasing our competitive way, to get the points we are getting.”
Villa’s record at home is another reason for optimism. They are unbeaten in both the Premier League and Champions League at Villa Park since a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in August. A rematch with the Gunners could await in the semi-finals.
“We have to share our momentum on Tuesday with our supporters at Villa Park, it’s always so, so special,” said Emery.
“Try to feel a really strong energy, positive energy on the field and in the stadium. Enjoy, play and try to play our best football to get closer to achieving our objectives in the Champions League.”
Aston Villa’s return to Europe’s elite competition for the first time since the 1982/83 season now hinges on what would be one of the most remarkable comebacks in recent memory. For Emery and his players, belief and home advantage will be their greatest weapons.
