PSG’s Kvaratskhelia and Doué Shine in Champions League Victory Over Aston Villa
In a thrilling night of Champions League action, Paris Saint-Germain’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia stole the spotlight with a wonder goal that overshadowed even the brilliance of his teammate Désiré Doué. PSG triumphed over Aston Villa with a 3-1 victory in the first leg of the quarterfinals on Wednesday, setting the stage for an exciting return leg.
PSG coach Luis Enrique was full of praise for both players, acknowledging the significant step his team took toward the semifinals. “For a coach like me, it’s so great to have a player like [Kvaratskhelia], with his mentality. He scored a brilliant goal,” Enrique said, reflecting on the Georgian winger’s performance. “We tried to sign him last summer and it didn’t work out. We signed him [in January] when we didn’t really expect to. He’s got everything to be part of our project.”
Kvaratskhelia’s goal was a masterpiece, a display of speed, skill, and precision. Sprinting down the left from just over the halfway line, he dazzled Villa’s defense with quick feet and superb balance. With the ball seemingly glued to his right foot, he wrong-footed defender Axel Disasi with a sudden change of direction, then smoothly rolled the ball onto his left foot and unleashed an unstoppable shot over the head of Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.
Before Kvaratskhelia’s heroics, it was Morgan Rogers who gave Villa the lead in the 35th minute. However, the 19-year-old Doué quickly leveled the score just four minutes later with his 12th goal of the season, showcasing his potential as a rising star. “He’s got everything he needs to become a great player,” Luis Enrique said of Doué. “He really doesn’t need much space to dribble.”
PSG took control of the match after the break, with Kvaratskhelia putting them in front just four minutes into the second half. Left back Nuno Mendes sealed the victory with a fine finish in stoppage time, demonstrating PSG’s attacking prowess.
Reflecting on the match, Luis Enrique commented, “I think the result reflects the difference between us and them. Our objective is to keep the ball and be aggressive in attack.” The return leg is set for next Tuesday at Villa Park, where Villa coach Unai Emery remains optimistic. “I believe we will win next week,” Emery said. “Villa Park is our home.”
Kvaratskhelia’s goal was reminiscent of the kind of effort that earned him the nickname “Kvaradona” during his time at Napoli, a nod to the legendary Diego Maradona. This performance justified PSG’s €70 million investment in the winter transfer window.
Despite the defeat, Villa showed resilience, especially in the first half. Captain John McGinn played a crucial role in their opening goal, winning the ball in midfield and setting up Marcus Rashford, who then assisted Youri Tielemans for a cross that found Rogers unmarked at the back post.
Martínez, Villa’s goalkeeper, was tested throughout the match, making a notable save against Achraf Hakimi’s powerful shot shortly after Kvaratskhelia’s goal. However, he could do little to prevent the goals that followed, including Mendes’ deft finish from an Ousmane Dembélé pass.
As the teams prepare for the second leg, the stage is set for an exciting showdown at Villa Park. Villa’s players and fans will be hoping for a comeback, while PSG will look to maintain their advantage and secure a spot in the semifinals.
- PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored a wonder goal.
- Désiré Doué also impressed with a brilliant curling shot.
- PSG defeated Aston Villa 3-1 in the first leg.
- The return leg is next Tuesday at Villa Park.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
