Aston Villa, Arsenal and Liverpool all take first-leg advantage in UEFA Champions League last 16 ties

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All of the top-flight English sides—Aston Villa, Arsenal, and Liverpool—secured crucial victories in the first legs of their Champions League Last 16 ties, putting themselves in strong positions to reach the quarter-finals. With each team delivering impressive performances, the results have only strengthened their credentials as serious contenders in the competition.  UEFA, UEFA Champions League, UCL, Champions League, Premier League, Teams, Clubs, English, Aston Villa, AVFC, Arsenal, AFC, Liverpool, LFC, Last 16, Ties, First Leg, Game, Football, Sport, News, Latest, Recap, Review, Local TV, Local TV Sport, Charles Hague-Jones

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00:00Now, all the top-flight English sides, Aston Villa, Arsenal and Liverpool, secured crucial

00:07victories in the first legs of their Champions League last-16 ties, putting themselves in

00:13strong positions to reach the quarter-finals. With each team delivering impressive performances,

00:18the results have only strengthened their credentials as serious contenders in the competition.

00:25We're taking a closer look at how they got the job done at the key moments that define

00:28their wins, and what these results could mean ahead of the second legs. While they are having

00:34the advantage, nothing is guaranteed in European football, and the return fixtures will be

00:39a true test of their ability to see things through. Can they maintain their momentum

00:44and finish the job, or is there still room for twists and drama in the competition?

00:49Starting with Aston Villa, who took a major step towards the Champions League quarter-finals,

00:54with a dramatic 3-1 victory away at Club Bruges. Now, despite not being at their best,

01:00Unai Emery's men found a way to win, capitalising on key moments to put themselves in a commanding

01:06position ahead of the second leg at Villa Park.

01:09We can face every team in Europe. Our experience last year through Conference League was the

01:17same as today. I am happy, but I can't get in balance because I know there's still 90 minutes to play.

01:24We have to respect always the opponent, always the competition, always the moment.

01:30Because we were today in the middle of 75, and if we were betting, maybe we were betting,

01:35maybe we were losing.

01:37On to Arsenal, and not many saw them winning 7-1 at PSV Eindhoven in their first leg.

01:43Now, this brings big scope for the second leg, where back at Emirates they can maybe play on a just side

01:49and give some rest, with a six-goal cushion being fairly incredible.

01:54Obviously, it broke multiple Champions League records, including the goals away from home in the last 16.

02:01Arteta was so confident in his side, he thanked his side, saying it brought joy and confidence,

02:08real belief. Now, obviously, they're on the same side of the draw as the winner of Real and Atletico Madrid.

02:15So, this joy may not last too long, but not many saw this victory coming.

02:22Arteta was delighted that his Arsenal side got over the line.

02:26I really enjoyed the match. Thank you to the players for the performance that they put in.

02:31It was a big night for us against a really good side.

02:35The way they went through in the last round against Juventus was really impressive.

02:40So, the manner that we've done it, the way we play, the goals that we score,

02:44thank you because it was a special night.

02:48Finally, Liverpool, and it was a very, very tight contested game away at PSG.

02:54Arguably, one of the most informed sides in Europe at the moment.

02:57Obviously, Liverpool and Real Madrid in there as well was probably the top two.

03:02Liverpool were really tightly locked up at the back in defence.

03:06So, all night, this is a fresh, exciting PSG side full of young French talent,

03:12young players who really make an impact.

03:15It all came down really to Javier Leite's moment of glory with his 1-0 winner in the end,

03:21proved to be a winner, and all because of Alisson Becker in goal.

03:25He's produced some incredible Champions League and Premier League performances as well over his time

03:32under Jurgen Klopp and now under Arnie Schlott as well.

03:35He's been unbelievable, obviously out injured for a period of this season as well.

03:40But all credit goes to Alisson.

03:43It's been touted as one of the best ever goalkeeping displays over 90 minutes.

03:48That was obviously said on the likes of CBS Sport by Peter Schmeichel himself,

03:53one of the greatest goalkeepers we've ever seen.

03:56So, a huge night for Arnie Schlott's side, who admitted they were lucky against PSG.

04:02PSG put up a great fight, and it's all to do still in the second leg at Anfield.

04:06But a 1-0 cushion is so important, and it all goes down to, as I say,

04:11the Brazilian in goal, who was absolutely magnificent on the night.

04:15It's a very good result for us, but we also felt the quality of Paris Saint-Germain.

04:22I knew it before, they've won ten times in a row, scored goal after goal after goal,

04:26incredible pace with the wingers.

04:29Every underlying stat shows you that they are the best team in the Champions League.

04:35We were the lead table, won it, but they were, in the underlying stats, the best team.

04:40So I wasn't surprised that they were so good.

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