PARIS, France — Gianluigi Donnarumma and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia played vital roles as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) triumphed over Aston Villa 3-1 in the Champions League quarter-final on April 9, 2025, at Parc des Princes. The Italian goalkeeper was crucial in securing the win, making several key saves.
PSG entered the encounter after a gripping phase in the tournament, and they looked to continue their dominance against tough competition. Kvaratskhelia, who joined PSG from Napoli in January, impressed throughout the match, ultimately scoring a critical goal.
Aston Villa, aiming to upset PSG, struck first. Morgan Rogers netted the opening goal for the visitors after a swift counter-attack stunned the home side. Despite controlling the match, PSG found themselves trailing after just 17 minutes. Rogers pounced at the back post to finish a move that left PSG’s defense scrambling.
However, Kvaratskhelia quickly equalized for PSG shortly before halftime. In the 39th minute, Desiré Doué provided a timely assist, allowing Kvaratskhelia to drill a stunning shot into the near top corner from a tight angle.
PSG took total command in the second half, showcasing their attacking prowess. With 68% possession and a total of 30 shots on goal, they relentlessly pressed the Villa defense. Kvaratskhelia was instrumental, twisting and turning past defenders, and finding the net again in the 49th minute with another fantastic effort.
The final goal came in stoppage time from Nuno Mendes, who exploited an offside trap, cut inside, and scored easily to conclude a strong PSG performance. Their ability to dominate the match was reflected in their statistics: 30 attempts on goal compared to Aston Villa’s eight.
Referee Maurizio Mariani effectively managed the game, ensuring a smooth flow with decisive calls, including quick evaluations of offside decisions. After the match, Mariani received praise for maintaining order on the pitch.
With this victory, PSG positioned themselves strongly for the return leg against Aston Villa. They look to continue their quest for European glory, with Barcelona in the other quarter-final hopeful of facing the winner.
“We can build on this performance,” Kvaratskhelia said post-match. “We showed our quality and character, and we will fight in the next leg.”
