Emi Martinez useless, John McGinn magical – Aston Villa ratings in drama vs PSG
Aston Villa were desperately unfortunate to lose 5-4 on aggregate to PSG in the Champions League quarter-finals despite a heroic performance from John McGinn.
Villa fans proudly displayed a tifo that read: “This is Villa Park” on a giant gate prior to kick-off.
The Parisians’ uncomfortable two-legged victory over their English rivals signalled closing time on the Villains’ Champions League dream, and it is now up to Unai Emery to rejuvenate his side after coming oh so close to stunning the Ligue 1 champions.
Goals from Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes gave PSG a 5-1 lead in the tie, and things seemed over before they had really begun.
That was until Villa awoke, with goals from Youri Tielemans, John McGinn and Ezri Konsa bringing the aggregate score to 5-4.
However, it wasn’t to be with the challenge too great, as the Midlands side just did not have the energy, nor the quality, to break through in the closing stages.
Aston Villa slump out of Champions League to PSG
Emi Martinez – 3
The best goalkeeper in the world, according to FIFA. Not on tonight’s showing. Martinez’s inability to stop Hakimi’s effort in the first half cost his side a place in the Champions League semi-final.
Matty Cash – 6
A shaky start, but the Poland international found his feet, growing into the game. Seemed in awe of PSG’s willingness to commit bodies forward and was caught out going forward, but settled later on.
Ezri Konsa – 8
Mr reliable. Usually, the unsung hero for his defensive work. Konsa showed the strikers how it’s done by thumping a low effort past Gianluigi Donnarumma to put Villa within one, but missed a guilt-edged header completely afterwards.
Pau Torres – 6
Diligent defensively. Shook off the early disappointment of conceding twice to fast breaks and proved himself to be a reliable performer alongside Konsa.
Lucas Digne suffers against former side PSG
Lucas Digne (off for Maatsen 75′) – 4
Torn to pieces. The Frenchman has quietly had his best season in a Villa shirt, but facing off against his former side, the ex-Everton man was powerless to deal with the duo of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Hakimi down PSG’s right-hand side.
Boubacar Kamara – 6
Kamara finds himself back in Villa’s midfield, following a spell as a makeshift centre-back, and whilst he coped a little better than his partner Onana, the Frenchman was not at his best against the Ligue 1 champions.
Amadou Onana (off for Ramsey 66′) – 5
Quiet night in Paris. Onana failed to impose himself against PSG’s midfield, often finding himself out of position, with the game passing him by.
Morgan Rogers – 4
Not a right-winger. Once again, Rogers is not a right-winger. The 22-year-old looks stiff and uncomfortable coming in from wide areas and simply needs to be playing closer to the striker.
Youri Tielemans (off for Barkley 87′) – 7
Smooth operator. Tielamans’ effortless style of football will forever be a joy to watch. Forced to play further forward than usual, but the Belgian took it in his stride, got a lucky deflection for his goal but they all count.
John McGinn (off for Asensio 66′) – 9 – Player-of-the-Match
Do not doubt the little Scotsman. Emery’s decision to start him as a makeshift left-winger was puzzling until the former Hibernian man got a goal and an assist, an outstanding performance from the 30-year-old.
Marcus Rashford (off for Watkins 75′) – 8
Ask, and he shall deliver. Rashford was a surprise choice to start over Ollie Watkins, and whilst the Englishman failed to find the back of the net and he started slowly, his dazzling dribbling gave the Parisian’s backline all sorts of problems, as he assisted Konsa’s goal and drove the fightback after the break beside his captain.
Marcus Rashford in fine form for Aston Villa
Substitutes
Marco Asensio (on for McGinn 66′) – 4
Presented with a golden opportunity to score against his parent club just minutes after coming on, but fluffed his lines. Faded afterwards.
Jacob Ramsey (on for Onana 66′) – 5
This is the sort of moment Ramsey was made for, coming off the bench, tasked with running at a full-back who has been up and down all night, but barely made a dent on the game.
Ollie Watkins (on for Rashford 75′) – 5
Watkins was a target for Arsenal in January and likely would have been frustrated to be left out against PSG, had little to work with in his cameo off the bench.
Ian Maatsen (on for Digne 75′) – 6
Dealt better with the attacking threat of PSG than Digne did. Had an opportunity in the dying moments with a sweet volley, but it was blocked superbly by Pacho.
Ross Barkley (on for Tielemans 87′) – N/A
Was not given enough time to have an impact on the match.