Aston Villa v PSG – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Aston Villa face PSG in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. Luis Enrique’s side hold a 3-1 lead from the first leg. Villa have won eight of their last nine matches but their odds of 7.50 to qualify from this tie is an indication of the mountain they have to climb.

Match: Aston Villa v PSG
When: Tuesday, 15 April 2025, 21:00
Where: Villa Park

Aston Villa Form

Villa are in great form right now and they’re just three points off third-placed Nottingham Forest in the league table. Their last 14 matches have seen just two losses, and they went into the first leg last week on a run of seven straight victories. A 3-0 home win over Club Brugge meant a 6-1 aggregate success on aggregate in the round of 16.

They won 3-0 at Preston in the FA Cup and 3-0 at Brighton in the league. After beating Nottingham Forest 2-1 at home, they were thoroughly outplayed in Paris last week. They were outshot 29-7 and had just 25% possession. Unai Emery’s team bounced back to win 3-0 at Southampton, thanks to three strikes in the final 20 minutes.

Aston Villa Team News

Villa’s only injury is to winger Leon Bailey, who is doubtful about for match. Donyell Malen is not in the European squad and can not feature. Marco Asensio can face his parent club and is set to start this match.

Unai Emery may go with Axel Disasi at right back after the defensive woes faced by Matty Cash in the first leg. Ollie Watkins is set for a recall and Amadou Onana is pushing for a spot in the starting XI.

Aston Villa Motivation

Villa have nothing to lose here. They know their chances are slim so a more attacking approach is expected than in the first leg.

Emery’s team selection will give an indication of their approach. If he goes with four forwards, we should see an open game.

PSG Form

PSG are flying right now. Their last 30 matches have seen just one unfortunate defeat and they’ve had a full week to prepare for this second leg. They lost 1-0 at home to Liverpool despite outshooting the Reds 27-2. They won 1-0 at Anfield with 21 shots in the second leg before progressing on penalties.

Since then, they’ve beaten Marseille 3-1 and Saint-Etienne 6-1 in Ligue 1 matches. A 4-2 Coupe de France win at Dunkerque followed. After beating Angers 1-0 to seal the league title, they beat Aston Villa 3-1 in the first leg last week. PSG had 29 shots and 75% possession in a dominant display.

PSG Team News

Coach Luis Enrique will hope to have Kang-in Lee available in attack after an ankle injury. It looks likely to be an unchanged XI from last week with Bradley Barcola on the bench and teenager Desire Doue starting after five goals in his last four outings.

PSG centre back Marquinhos missed out on the first leg due to suspension. He could be on the bench as Willian Pacho and Lucas Beraldo excelled in his absence.

 PSG Motivation

PSG are 100% focused on this match, having sewn up the league title and not having to play a match this past weekend.

They will look to dominate the game as they did at Anfield not long ago. They know that an early goal would take the wind out of Villa’s sails.

Key Stats

PSG have lost just 1 of their last 30 matches in all competitions

PSG’s Dembele has scored 27 goals in his last 25 matches

PSG have won just 4 of 17 away UCL matches vs English clubs

Aston Villa have won 8 of their last 9 matches

Aston Villa have lost their last 3 matches vs French clubs

Verdict

The late PSG goal a week ago means they’re heavily favoured to progress. Villa should score but PSG have what it takes to go to Villa Park and win the match outright.

Best Bet: PSG win 2.08
Featured Bet: PSG win, BTTS Yes and Dembele to score anytime at 5.00
Anytime Goalscorer Tips: Dembele at 2.35 or Doue at 3.20