Aston Villa have been one of Europe’s surprise packages this season after their march to the Champions League quarter-finals, but they face their biggest test yet on Wednesday when they make the trip to Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG wrapped up the Ligue 1 title with six games to spare thanks to their victory over Angers at the weekend and now they will be putting their full focus into claiming a maiden European crown.
The French giants have won 16 of their last 17 games, but Villa are also flying with seven successive wins in all competitions and they will feel capable of pulling off another upset after some excellent results in Europe this season.
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PSG vs Aston Villa tips
PSG may concede in victory
Villa may be enjoying a winning run right now but none of the teams they’ve faced during their seven game streak have been at the same level as PSG.
The Parisian outfit have won five of their last six at home and their one defeat during that run was a 1-0 loss to Liverpool, which was a harsh defeat on the balance of play and one which they quickly avenged by prevailing 1-0 at Anfield in the second leg.
Villa lost to Monaco during the league phase and have occasionally struggled on their travels both domestically and in Europe this season. Unai Emery’s men have lost seven of their 16 Premier League trips and they’ve also lost twice on the road in the Champions League.
PSG should have the quality to win, but a clean sheet is perhaps less likely for French champions.
Villa have scored in 12 consecutive games across all competitions and PSG have managed just two clean sheets in their last eight, so the visitors can strike in defeat in the first leg of this quarter-final tie.
Dembele the dangerman for PSG
Ousmane Dembele is having the best season of his career and he looks the standout contender for an anytime effort on Wednesday.
The France international has 21 goals in 26 Ligue 1 games for PSG and he’s managed seven strikes in 10 games in Europe.
Dembele has three goals in his last four games for club and country and should come into this game rested after coming off the bench in the second half against Angers at the weekend.
The 27-year-old has already scored against Manchester City and Liverpool this season and he can add Villa to his list of Premier League victims.
McGinn a card contender
Villa may have to resort to a bit of gamesmanship and a physical approach as they try and keep the game tight, and that could lead to a few cards being dished out to the visitors.
Midfielder John McGinn is yet to be booked in the Champions League, but he has picked up six yellow cards in 27 Premier League games and perhaps could have a few more bookings to his name.
McGinn has committed 22 fouls across his last nine league appearances and is averaging 1.2 infringements per-game across all competitions, two or more fouls in Paris may be enough to see him handed a card.
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