Aston Villa boss Unai Emery remains bullish despite 3 1 defeat against Paris Saint Germain

PARIS – Aston Villa manager Unai Emery insisted he still believes his side can get the better of Paris Saint-Germain and reach the Champions League semi-finals, despite a 3-1 away defeat in the first leg of their last-eight tie on April 9.

Villa took the lead in the first half at the Parc des Princes through Morgan Rogers – only for the hosts to turn the game on its head, thanks to stunning strikes by Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia either side of the interval.

A Nuno Mendes stoppage-time effort, which gave PSG a two-goal cushion to take to Villa Park for the return leg, appears to leave Emery’s side with a huge task to turn the tie around.

“At 2-1, we were thinking about playing to win in the next match. At 3-1, it is still the same,” Emery said.

“But we are here and enjoying it, and I am very proud of the players. We competed fantastically and we were close to getting a good result. At the end, with this goal, it is still more or less the same.

“Villa Park is our home and, hopefully, there we will be stronger. But of course they are still favourites. They showed their power and individual quality.”

Villa came to the French capital on a streak of seven straight wins in all competitions. The wins have boosted their chances of qualifying for the Champions League again next season and taken them to the FA Cup semi-finals.

However, it will likely now require a special performance in Birmingham on April 15 for them to carry on their run in the Champions League.

“I am not happy, but I am satisfied with the performance of the team,” Emery added.

“It is special for us to be in Paris and playing a