The first leg of the 2024/25 Champions League quarter-final between PSG (France) and Aston Villa (England) will take place on April 9 at the Parc des Princes in Paris. PSG vs. Aston Villa: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
PSG
Luis Enrique's side overcame Liverpool in the previous round. The opponents exchanged 1-0 victories, and only a penalty shootout determined the quarter-finalist. The Parisians have won 6 of their last 7 Champions League matches, keeping clean sheets in four of those games. Notably, with 25 goals scored, PSG ranks fifth in terms of scoring in this Champions League campaign. Additionally, this marks the fourth time in the last six seasons that the French side has reached the Champions League quarter-finals.
- PSG scored at least two goals in 5 of their last 7 Champions League games.
- PSG conceded in 6 of their last 8 home matches in this tournament.
- The French side opened the scoring in 5 of their last 7 Champions League encounters.
Predicted lineup for PSG (4-3-3)
Gianluigi Donnarumma – Nuno Mendes, William Pacho, Lucas Beraldo, Achraf Hakimi – Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Joao Neves – Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele.
Defender Marquinhos will miss the match due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Aston Villa
Unai Emery's side confidently progressed to the quarter-finals. After a 3-1 away victory over Club Brugge, the English team defeated the Belgians 3-0 at home. Notably, Aston Villa kept a clean sheet for the first time in five Champions League matches in the return leg. However, the British side failed to score in only three games in this Champions League campaign. This is not the first time the team has reached the quarter-finals of Europe's premier tournament; the last time the Birmingham side reached this stage was in 1983. Back then, in the European Cup, they failed to reach the semi-finals, losing to Juventus.
- Aston Villa scored at least three goals in 4 of their last 5 Champions League matches.
- In away games in the Champions League, the club shows uncompromising results – 3 wins and 2 losses.
- The English side conceded exactly 1 or 2 goals in their last 4 away matches in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Aston Villa (4-5-1)
Emiliano Martinez – Ezri Konsa, Axel Disasi, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne – John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Jacob Ramsey, Boubacar Kamara – Marcus Rashford.
Referee
Maurizio Mariani (Italy)
Matches – 10 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 41;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.1;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 40%.
Match Prediction: PSG vs. Aston Villa
PSG's previous opponent in the Champions League was one of the tournament favorites, but Luis Enrique's side deservedly overcame Liverpool. Now, another English team stands in PSG's path. In the Premier League, Aston Villa trails the Merseyside club by 22 points.
PSG has gained excellent momentum in the Champions League, winning 6 of their last 7 matches, and at home, the team has not lost in 4 of their last 6 games in this tournament (3 wins, 1 draw). During this period, they only lost to Atletico and Liverpool, whose level is significantly higher than that of the Birmingham side. Nevertheless, I believe that the motivated British side can pose problems for their illustrious opponent and strive for a draw.
Both teams are currently strong in attack. Before facing Liverpool, the Parisians scored at least three goals in 5 consecutive Champions League matches. Aston Villa, in turn, shows high scoring ability even away from home, netting 9 times in five away Champions League games.
Considering all these facts, my prediction: PSG will not lose and Total over 2.5 goals