Aston Villa fell just short in a thrilling Champions League quarter-final against PSG, losing 5-4 on aggregate. Luis Enrique praised their intensity and fight, calling them his side’s toughest test.
Unai Emery expressed pride in his players, believing Villa can return even stronger in Europe next season.
Unai Emery expressed pride in his players, believing Villa can return even stronger in Europe next season.
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00:00Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique has paid Aston Villa a major compliment
00:06after his side edged a thrilling Champions League quarter-final 5-4 on aggregate.
00:12PSG looked to have wrapped up the tie early at Villa Park,
00:15adding to their 3-1 first-leg lead with quick-fire goals from Ashraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes.
00:22At 5-1 up on aggregate, the Parisians appeared to be cruising into the semi-finals.
00:27However, Aston Villa produced a stunning fight back.
00:31Juri Tielemans pulled one back before John McGinn and Esri Konza struck in a three-minute burst early in the second half,
00:39making it 3-2 on the night and cutting PSG's overall lead to just one goal.
00:45Villa Park roared its approval and the momentum was entirely, with the home side heading into the final half-hour.
00:52Despite their best efforts, Villa couldn't find the equaliser and PSG held firm.
00:57to secure their place in the final four.
01:00Luis Enrique admitted after the game that Villa had posed the toughest challenge his side has faced all season,
01:06particularly during that 10-minute spell in the second half when the host completely dominated.
01:13Unai Emre, though, disappointed with the exit, expressed immense pride in his squad.
01:18The Villa boss believes his side are now equipped to make a serious impact in the Champions League again next season.
01:26Of course, in Premier League, we are playing against teams with the same level like PSG.
01:34Next Saturday, we are going to play against Newcastle, the same level.
01:36But in Champions League, against teams like PSG, of course, we can test ourselves and how we are responding.
01:43And I am so proud and I am so happy and I am really confident how we are doing this way,
01:51how we are increasing our standards, our demands and how we are achieving the duty we can have.
01:57There is still certainly life in Aston Villa's season and the fans can be incredibly proud,
02:05having shown they can go toe-to-toe with one of the tournament favourites
02:09and come agonisingly close to a famous comeback.