Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa faced off this Wednesday at the Parc des Princes in the quarter-finals of the Champions League 2024-2025 (return on April 15). The match ended in a 3-1 Parisian victory (video highlights PSG/Aston Villa). After the match, the English team’s coach Unai Emery spoke at a press conference.
Emery “We already had to play to win. That doesn’t change.”
Did the match turn out the way you thought it would? Does the 3rd goal change things?
No, it doesn’t change much. We already had to play to win. It doesn’t change anything. We’ll need 2 goals and not 1, but we’re here and we’re enjoying it. I’m proud of the way my players played. Aston Villa are developing and we’re raising our standards. We were very competitive. We weren’t far from a good result. In the end, there was that goal. But that doesn’t change much.
We have to win and I believe in that. We’ll be at home, so I hope we can be stronger, do better and be better as a team. But PSG are favourites, they’ve shown their strengths. We need to be disciplined and compact. We covered well. This result isn’t the best, nor is it the worst. There’s still the second leg to play.
Emery “PSG were the favourites, we saw that on the pitch.”
What will Aston Villa do better in the return? A higher, more aggressive team?
We’ll see, we’ll see.
Did Aston Villa seem to accept the 2-1 defeat in the second half?
They’re a very good team and we respect them. They’re very good in transition. It’s hard to stop their combinations. We had a few chances at 2-1. Marco Asensio came on. Of course, the goal we conceded at the end was disappointing. But it doesn’t change our desire or our hope.
We have to win anyway, this time by 2 goals. PSG were the favourites, as we saw on the pitch. We played our game and did our best. We can do better in the return leg.
You seem optimistic, with the double confrontation still open?
I’m not happy, but I am satisfied with the team’s performance and state of mind. We’re in Paris, which is special. Even more so in a Champions League quarter-final. And they’re a favorite to reach the final. We’re continuing to move forward. The second leg will be similar, just as tough, but we’ll have to win it by 2 goals.
Emery “I think it will be better on the way back. ”
On the 2nd goal, you were punished for trying to play higher up? Do you have any regrets?
That’s soccer, a great game against a very strong team, especially in transition. I wanted to keep on playing, whether it was today or over the whole game. We made a few changes and had a few shots. We didn’t succeed. But we’re playing in the knowledge that there are 180 minutes to go.
They’re the favourites and we accept that. There’s still the return home, and we’re going to give it everything we’ve got. But what we’ve done today is because we’re up against a team built to win. We’re very happy to be playing at this level.
We were a little below what I’d expect collectively and individually, but I think we’ll be better in the return leg. We’ll be playing with pride and with the aim of winning, and that’s no different.
Emery “I believe in our performance.”
What can the fans change at home?
We’re proud of our supporters. To have this quarter-final second leg at home next week. The result isn’t what we wanted today, but we accept it. We’re going to give it our all so that the fans can enjoy it and feel proud. We’re going to give it our all. We need to create this great atmosphere. The fans help us.
Is Paris the best team in Europe? Where does the optimism come from for the return leg?
I believe in our performance. We played a good game today. We made things difficult. We’re confident for this round, even if the result is difficult. We need to win at home, and I think we’ll play better individually and collectively. That’s my opinion for this next match, with things that can change.
What do you remember as positive about this match, apart from the defensive aspect?
The way we competed.
