‘Unai Emery collapses to the floor’ after Ezri Konsa shocker in Aston Villa v PSG
Unai Emery was in utter disbelief at Aston Villa centre-back Ezri Konsa during the dramatic Villa Park scenes against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Villans were treated to an incredible night under the lights, with a spot in the Champions League semi-finals on the line, attempting to come back from 3-1 down in the first leg.
All hope looked lost after hammer blows from Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes, that was until Youri Tielemans seemed to hit a switch when his deflected shot whistled past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
John McGinn and Ezri Konsa both netted within two minutes of each other, allowing for 30 minutes of constant pressure with Villa Park right behind them, and it nearly worked on Tuesday, 15 April.
Konsa, who had fired home after a sublime run from fan-favourite Marcus Rashford at Villa, looked destined to score a brace, somehow going just inches short of heading in another.
Ezri Konsa leaves Unai Emery desperate in Aston Villa defeat
Writing via X (15 April), The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell wrote: “Konsa then somehow misses a cross. Emery collapses to the floor. My word, Villa have had chances to not only level, but to win this outright…
Watching the same moment unravel live on Amazon Prime Video (15 April, 9:28pm), Alan Shearer dubbed Konsa’s miss an “absolute sitter” and the defender certainly felt the same as he beat the turf.
Aston Villa focus shifts after Champions League knockout v PSG
Football Insider verdict
While the players and supporters will be distraught after being knocked out of Europe by PSG, there is still so much to fight for before the season comes to an end after a very long campaign.
Villa will be preparing themselves for their FA Cup semi-final clash against Crystal Palace, with Oliver Glasner becoming a favourite figure at Selhurst Park following an incredible run of results.
| Aston Villa’s upcoming fixtures | Competition |
| Newcastle United (H) | Premier League |
| Man City (A) | Premier League |
| Crystal Palace | FA Cup |
| Fulham (H) | Premier League |
| Bournemouth (A) | Premier League |
The Villans will also be desperate to play in the Champions League again next season, and with only one point separating them from fifth-place Man City, it is a realistic aim.
Chelsea, Newcastle United, and Nottingham Forest are all fighting for the same spots, with Europa League football not quite having the same ring to it, and Villa supporters will not be happy dropping down a competition.
Of course, the team will be hugely disappointed to be knocked out by PSG in these circumstances, but with so much left to fight for, they must put the pain behind them and refocus quickly.