Aston Villa knocked out of Champions League despite incredible comeback win vs PSG

National World - LocalTV

Reaction from Villa Park as Aston Villa beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 but are knocked out of the Champions League in a 5-4 aggregate defeat.

Transcript

00:00Aston Villa are out of the UEFA Champions League despite beating Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 here at Villa Park.

00:08Having got two goals down in the first half, goals from Akra Kikimi and Nuno Mendes, Villa fought back.

00:13Goals from Uri Tielemans, John McGinn and Esri Konza to make it 3-2.

00:18Had so much hope with about half an hour left in the game. 5-4 down on aggregate, 3-2 up on the night.

00:24But unable to get that fourth goal to take the match to extra time.

00:27But PSG, so, so professional as they always are.

00:31They were time-wasting in the end.

00:33There were only three minutes added on, much to the frustration of the home support here at Villa Park.

00:37But the Parisians able to narrowly hold on for their victory to progress through to the last four of this competition.

00:44It was always expected that Villa were going to get knocked out tonight after the 3-1 defeat away in Paris last week.

00:50And when they went two goals down, that feeling was concrete.

00:55There was no belief really anymore after such a loud and promising beginning to the game.

01:00But, Uri Tielemans, I mean, fair play to the man.

01:03Been so, so consistent for Villa this season.

01:06He's played so often when he's been knackered, playing every three or four days.

01:10Gets a very deserved goal.

01:12Deflected albeit, but a deserved goal nonetheless before half-time to give Villa a fighting chance.

01:17And then, Emery must have said something incredible in that half-time team tour because Villa came out firing.

01:22Yes, in the first half, I think they probably edged it.

01:25But at the start of the second, they blew PSG away.

01:27They got two quick-fire goals to really throw the cats amongst the pigeons.

01:32The first goal from John McGinn, or the second for Villa on the night.

01:35But the first of the late comeback, sprinting from his own half.

01:39Paul Torres actually gets his assist for this, even though he made a simple layoff.

01:42John McGinn sprinted through about 40, 50 yards with the ball before thinking,

01:47you know what, I'm going to let fly from 25 yards.

01:50Struck, deflected off William Pacho, looped over G.L. Luigi, Donnarumma, and into the net.

01:56You're thinking, okay, 2-2 on the night, 5-3 down on aggregate.

01:59Can Villa do something here?

02:00Before you can even regather your thoughts, Ezra Konza made it 3-2 to Villa, 5-4 down on aggregate.

02:06Fantastic, fantastic work from Marcus Rashford down on the right-hand side.

02:10Beat two PSG defenders, got to the byline, showed great composure to cut the ball back to Konza,

02:15who had a striker's finish, you've got to say, curling the ball first time into that bottom right-hand corner.

02:20Then, there was about half an hour to go, you're thinking, oh my word, what is happening here?

02:25It's going to be one of those incredible, famous Champions League comebacks.

02:28And, well, it was on the night, 2-0 down to go 3-2 up at Villa Park.

02:33Unfortunately, though, PSG, having had a real scare with those two goals they conceded in quick fashion,

02:40were able to regain control of the ball, able to tick down that clock.

02:45And then those added minutes, only three of them, a real surprise,

02:49because obviously there were several goals scored, there were loads of substitutions,

02:53and PSG were wasting time at every given opportunity.

02:56But, you have to say, Luis Enrique has got his side drilled very well.

03:00They're one of the favourites of this competition for a reason,

03:03and they were able to hold on in a very professional performance.

03:06It kind of goes down to the 3-1 defeat last week, that third goal.

03:09We all said it when Nuno Mendes scored that goal.

03:12Oh dear, two-goal disadvantage here.

03:14Villa are going to really struggle, and that proved pivotal in the end.

03:17Of course, winning here at Villa Park, an incredible performance,

03:20an incredible night to remember for a very long time.

03:23But, the road in the Champions League comes to an end at the quarterfinal phase.

03:27Now, the attention will go back to the Premier League,

03:29the FA Cup semi-final as well, upcoming against Crystal Palace.

03:33Can Villa secure that top-five finish to get Champions League football again?

03:37They've had a taste of it this season.

03:38They've absolutely loved every moment.

03:40Hopefully, Emery's men can do it and get into that elite competition again next year.

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