Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has responded firmly to the suggestion that he instructed his team to back off after taking a 2-1 lead against Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League quarter-final first leg.
Despite taking the lead through Morgan Rogers, Villa fell to a 3-1 defeat in Paris as Desire Doue, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Nuno Mendes struck for the French side with moments of real quality.
Speaking after the match, Emery made it clear that Villa hadn’t given up at any stage and are determined to turn things around next week at Villa Park.
"The last goal is disappointing for us because it was the last minute. But it does not change our mind or belief, we have to win the next match," said Emery.
Asked in the post-match press conference if he had accepted defeat too early, Emery looked surprised and dismissed the claim entirely.
"This is football. It’s a team that’s very good and very fast," he said.
"After 2-1 I wanted to keep pushing to win the match, either we win now or 90 more coming up, I didn’t want this game to get out of hand. I was adjusting on the counter attacks, logically we played knowing there’s 90 minutes remaining."
Despite the uphill task ahead, Villa’s goalscorer Morgan Rogers insisted there is still plenty of belief in the squad.
"There's loads of belief in the changing room. We have nothing to lose, nobody thought we'd win the tie in the first place. Why not just go for it? We've definitely got the quality to turn things around. It's not done yet."
No matter what happens in the second leg, Aston Villa’s European journey has captured hearts. From qualifying for the Champions League to reaching the last eight, it’s been a season to remember — and it may not be over just yet.
2 Comments (last comment by Adem)
First read message
By Adem 10 Apr 2025 08:52
That last goal of PSG… it’s going to be a game at Villa park. I dont see villa winning 3-0 but they’ll get a chance.
By identty 10 Apr 2025 08:50
0 chance to go through and that's not a shame. PSG is good and probably one of the 2/3 clubs that will win the CL this season.
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