Pre-game, captain John McGinn promised Aston Villa fans they could still expect “as much as possible” this season despite the high-profile exits of Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans.
A battling performance in Austria backed those words up as, even in this defeat by PSG, Villa scared the European champions for a second time in 18 months, following their 5-4 Champions League last-eight defeat in 2025.
It came with a depleted side.
No Ollie Watkins, Emi Martinez and Ezri Konsa – given more time off after the World Cup – which allowed teenager Brian Madjo to finally show what he can do after Villa won their appeal to register him, and 19-year-old midfielder George Hemmings also getting a start.
The positives were also evident despite the loss, with Boubacar Kamara also playing his first competitive match since a serious knee injury in January.
Villa should be stronger for the Premier League season opener at Brighton on 23 August, with the club due to be active in the final two weeks of the transfer window.
Atletico Madrid left-back Matteo Ruggeri is poised to join this week, while they have not given up on their chase for Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha.
Ever the perfectionist, boss Emery will be frustrated by the loss – especially as it was his fourth defeat in the competition – but as Villa enter a new era there is a lot of cause for optimism.
Discover more from NAIRAVOICE.COM.NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
