Aston Villa came agonisingly close to completing an incredible Champions League comeback against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night, but ultimately fell short and were eliminated with an aggregate score of 5-4. After losing the first leg of the quarter-final clash 3-1, Unai Emery’s men found themselves 2-0 down in the return match early, but fought back and were leading 3-2 in the second half, just one goal away from levelling things.
Goals from Youri Tielemans, John McGinn and Ezri Konsa gave Villa hope, but they fell short and couldn’t find that all-important equaliser. It was a valiant effort from the club, but one crucial decision made by head coach Emery might have been what cost them completing the incredible comeback.
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Emery’s Decision to Substitute Marcus Rashford Cost Villa
While it was Tielemans, McGinn and Konsa who got on the scoresheet for Villa, it was Marcus Rashford who stole the show with a stellar performance in the second half. He was here, there and everywhere and his assist to set up Konsa for Villa’s third goal of the night was nothing short of sublime. He struggled in the first half for the club and failed to make much of an impact, but came to life after the restart and was crucial for Villa.
Despite his blistering performance in the second half, Emery decided to sub him out of the game in the 76th minute and replace him with Ollie Watkins. The striker has had a solid campaign for the Villans so far and was surprisingly dropped from the lineup against PSG, with Rashford taking his spot as the central striker. Fans questioned the call initially, but after the Man United loanee shone against the Ligue 1 champions, they were shocked to see him taken out of the game with the comeback still very much on.
Supporters wanted to see Rashford moved out onto the flank, playing alongside Watkins in the second half, and taking the Englishman out of the game entirely, when he was playing so well could be what cost the club their comeback and a place in the Champions League. Following Rashford’s removal, Villa struggled to conjure many chances and didn’t look half as close to equalising as they did when he was on the pitch.
Fans Agree the Emery Decision Cost Villa
Football fans are all also in agreement that Emery’s decision to sub Rashford is what cost Villa their comeback against PSG. Taking to social media and posting on X (Twitter), one said: “Emery’s rotation approach ultimately cost him today Villa were on top and Rashford was up for it & then he subs on Watkins to keep him happy and what did Watkins do? Absolutely nothing.”
Another shared that sentiment, stating: “Ah Emery should’ve kept Rashford on and played him with Watkins,” while a third fan said: “That Rashford sub might of cost Villa the game. He was unreal. Not sure why Emery would sub his best player off! I’d of had Rashford LW over Ramsey. With Watkins ST.”
Watkins failed to make much of an impact in the game after his introduction and the decision to replace Rashford is one that didn’t prove to be too wise for Emery.
While it was Tielemans, McGinn and Konsa who got on the scoresheet for Villa, it was Marcus Rashford who stole the show with a stellar performance in the second half. He was here, there and everywhere and his assist to set up Konsa for Villa’s third goal of the night was nothing short of sublime. He struggled in the first half for the club and failed to make much of an impact, but came to life after the restart and was crucial for Villa.
Despite his blistering performance in the second half, Emery decided to sub him out of the game in the 76th minute and replace him with Ollie Watkins. The striker has had a solid campaign for the Villans so far and was surprisingly dropped from the lineup against PSG, with Rashford taking his spot as the central striker. Fans questioned the call initially, but after the Man United loanee shone against the Ligue 1 champions, they were shocked to see him taken out of the game with the comeback still very much on.
Supporters wanted to see Rashford moved out onto the flank, playing alongside Watkins in the second half, and taking the Englishman out of the game entirely, when he was playing so well could be what cost the club their comeback and a place in the Champions League. Following Rashford’s removal, Villa struggled to conjure many chances and didn’t look half as close to equalising as they did when he was on the pitch.
Fans Agree the Emery Decision Cost Villa
