On the night of April 9, 2025, Aston Villa faced off against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals at the Parc des Princes. The match, which ended in a 3-1 victory for PSG, exposed some glaring weaknesses in the Villa squad, with certain players delivering performances that could be described as the poorest on the pitch. While Villa have enjoyed a remarkable run under Unai Emery, this encounter highlighted the gap in quality against a rampant PSG side firing on all cylinders. Let’s delve into the standout underperformers from Aston Villa’s perspective in this high-stakes clash.
One of the most disappointing displays came from Marcus Rashford, Villa’s attacking talisman. Rashford, typically a dynamic presence with pace and flair, was largely ineffective against PSG’s disciplined backline. Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi, PSG’s marauding full-backs, pinned him back, limiting his influence. Rashford struggled to find space, completing only a handful of successful dribbles and failing to register a shot on target before being substituted in the 80th minute. His inability to stretch PSG’s defense or link effectively with Ollie Watkins left Villa’s attack disjointed, a stark contrast to his usual impact in the Premier League.
In midfield, Youri Tielemans also had a night to forget. The Belgian, known for his composure and vision, was overwhelmed by PSG’s relentless pressing and the dynamism of Vitinha and Warren Zaïre-Emery. Tielemans lost possession in dangerous areas multiple times, including a sloppy pass that led to PSG’s equalizer in the 35th minute, scored by Ousmane Dembélé. His lack of physicality was exposed as PSG dominated the middle third, and he offered little resistance to their fluid transitions. Substituted late in the game, Tielemans’ performance was a shadow of the controlling presence Villa fans have come to expect.
Defensively, Matty Cash struggled significantly at right-back. Up against the electric Bradley Barcola, Cash was repeatedly caught out of position, allowing PSG to exploit the left flank. His poor decision-making was evident in the build-up to Nuno Mendes’ decisive third goal in the 89th minute, where he failed to track the overlapping run, leaving Emi Martinez exposed. Cash’s lack of recovery pace and positional awareness made him a liability, and PSG capitalized ruthlessly. For a team that prides itself on defensive solidity, his subpar showing was a critical weak link.
Finally, John McGinn, Villa’s captain and heartbeat, couldn’t rise to the occasion. While his work rate remained commendable, McGinn was ineffective in both attack and defense. He was outmuscled by PSG’s midfield trio and failed to provide the creative spark Villa desperately needed. His passing accuracy dipped below his usual standards, and he was substituted in the 80th minute after a frustrating night. Against a side of PSG’s caliber, McGinn’s leadership was not enough to mask his lack of impact.
In conclusion, while Aston Villa showed moments of resilience, the poorest performances from Rashford, Tielemans, Cash, and McGinn underscored the challenge of competing with Europe’s elite. PSG’s quality shone through, leaving Villa with a mountain to climb in the second leg. Emery will need to rally his troops—and hope for a marked improvement—to keep their Champions League dream alive.
