Paris Saint-Germain vs Aston Villa tips and predictions: Villa could struggle to hold firm in French capital

PSG state of play

The stage is set as French giants Paris Saint-Germain welcome Aston Villa to the Parc des Princes for the first leg of this season’s Champions League quarter-finals. 

We have a full breakdown of each last eight fixtures in our UCL betting tips - but stick with us here for an in-depth look as Villa travel to the French capital.

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Luis Enrique’s troops have won six matches on the bounce in all competitions. The unbeaten French champions have also only lost once at home all season. Backing the short-priced favourites is something we’ve weighed up previously - are they really worth it?

Talisman Ousmane Dembele has stepped up to the plate following Kylian Mbappe’s departure. According to FotMob, the Frenchman has the highest shots per 90 in the competition (5.7) and he currently has seven goals to his name. 

Dembele isn’t PSG’s only danger man either. The team have scored 2.1 goals per match, with threats coming from all over the pitch. 

Aston Villa state of play 

Aston Villa have been the Champions League’s surprise package this season, but PSG is their toughest test yet.

A clash of two Spanish managers, Unai Emery, who has won the Europa League four times, is a master tactician who has a knack for finding winning formulas in Europe. 

The Villans have won their last seven matches in all competitions. Villa also boasts one of the best defensive records, conceding just seven Champions League goals.

Talents like Morgan Rogers are capable of adding to the three goals he’s already bagged, while Ollie Watkins will be hoping to build on his four assists and combine with Marcus Rashford on the break. 

Aston Villa have some weapons of their own, but they’ll have to be clinical in Paris.

Key talking point: Stopping Ousmane Dembele will be pivotal 

In a game that will almost certainly be attack versus defence, Aston Villa will be hoping to frustrate PSG in their own backyard. 

Villa have the right manager to contain threats like Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola, but there’s only so much Emery can do from the sidelines. 

For Villa, who are at this stage of Europe’s top competition for the first time in 42 years, Lady Luck will also need to be on their side. 

Stopping Ousmane Dembele is vital. January arrival Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will also need to be kept quiet, while game-changer Goncalo Ramos and exciting young talents Warren Zaire-Emery and Desire Doue will be ready to cause chaos. 

Emery’s side will need to be at their resolute best to keep the scoreline low ahead of the second leg at Villa Park, while also hoping to stifle key performers like Dembele. It feels like a tall order, though. 

FIRST’s top tip for PSG vs Aston Villa

Aston Villa could easily score on the night, but I feel a convincing win is on the cards for Luis Enrique’s free-flowing side. They’re scoring for fun at the moment and Unai Emery’s Villa could struggle to contain them. 

PSG to win and over 3.5 goals - 19/10 with Betway 

Extra tips 

Ousmane Dembele has been in scintillating form this season. The Frenchman will be difficult to stop on the night and could easily bag a couple of goals. 

Ousmane Dembele to score at least 2 goals - 19/5 with BetMGM 

While he’s unlikely to start the game, Portuguese striker Goncalo Ramos has chipped in with some important strikes off the bench this season. There’s great value in backing him to do the same here. 

Goncalo Ramos to score anytime - 13/10 with Bet442 

Team news

For PSG, Marquinhos will be unavailable due to suspension for the first leg, with Lucas Beraldo expected to come in. 

Kang-in Lee is also an injury concern having missed the last three matches with a foot injury.

As for Aston Villa, Leon Bailey is suffering from a knock that is likely to keep him out, while Ross Barkley’s calf issue sees him on the treatment table. 

PSG vs Aston Villa predicted line-ups

PSG: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Beraldo, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, Barcola (4-3-3). 

Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Tielemans, Kamara; McGinn, Rogers, Rashford; Watkins (4-2-3-1) 

Form guide (all competitions) 

Paris Saint-Germain: WWWLWWWWWW

Aston Villa: DWLWWWWWWW

Odds correct at the time of writing.