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Emery and his opposite number Luis Enrique have met in the knockout stage of the Champions League before. Here’s how one of the great comebacks/capitulations unfolded. PSG as an institution, and Marquinhos, the only survivor from their team that fateful night, will always have their demons. Then again so will Emery, who watched things fall apart in spectacular fashion from the Paris dugout. Probably best for everyone involved tonight if we quietly change the subject.
Unai Emery talks to Amazon Prime. “Good evening … we are motivated … excited … we have momentum in the season … try to get every drop of energy transmitted from the supporters to the team … now is the moment to focus our game-plan …we competed fantastic in Paris … we can compete fantastic again but do something more … we have to play with the ball and without the ball … play high, play low … set pieces … dominate with the ball … win duels … this is the highest level we have faced this year … I am looking forward to see how the players respond.”
Aston Villa make one change to their starting XI from the first leg. Amadou Onana comes in for Jacob Ramsey, who drops to the bench.
PSG make two changes to their starting line-up in the wake of their 3-1 win last Wednesday. Marquinhos returns from suspension and replaces Lucas Beraldo in defence, while Bradley Barcola comes in for last week’s hero Désiré Doué. Beraldo and Doué are on the bench.
The teams
Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne, Kamara, Onana, Rogers, Tielemans, McGinn, Rashford.
Subs: Olsen, Proctor, Disasi, Mings, Barkley, Watkins, Asensio, Maatsen, Bogarde, Bailey, Ramsey.
Paris Saint-Germain: Donnarumma, Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Nuno Mendes, Neves, Vitinha, Fabian, Barcola, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia.
Subs: Tenas, Safonov, Kimpembe, Goncalo Ramos, Lee, Hernandez, Mayulu, Zaire Emery, Lucas Beraldo, Mbaye, Doue.
Referee: Jose Maria Sanchez (Spain).
Preamble
Six days ago this happened …
… so now the 1982 champions need a big performance if they’re to set up a semi-final showdown with either Arsenal or Real Madrid. It’s not beyond the realms – Villa have won seven of the 12 European ties in which they’ve been beaten in the first leg away from home – but PSG are 13 from 19 in Europe after winning the first leg at home, so both teams can take heart from history. Kick-off is at 8pm BST. It’s on!
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