Unai Emery remains confident in a comeback for Aston Villa. The Birmingham club needs to overturn a 3-1 deficit in the Champions League quarter-finals against Paris Saint-Germain. Emery himself was once involved in perhaps the most spectacular Champions League comeback ever (better known as la remontada), but he doesn’t talk to his players about it.
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Aston Villa host PSG tonight at 21:00 in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie.
After a 3-1 defeat in Paris, Unai Emery’s men will need to produce something special at Villa Park to keep their European dream alive and if there’s anyone who knows how to orchestrate dramatic turnarounds, it’s Emery himself. But interestingly, the Spanish manager is not drawing on the most famous comeback of his career as a motivational tool for his current squad.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery and PSG coach Luis Enrique are no strangers to the wild swings of momentum that football can deliver. Eight years ago, they were on opposite sides of one of the most iconic nights in Champions League history the infamous remontada. Emery was managing PSG at the time, and after a 4-0 win in the first leg against Barcelona, progression to the next round seemed inevitable. But in the return leg, Luis Enrique’s Barça pulled off the unthinkable with a stunning 6-1 victory, eliminating PSG in one of the most memorable nights European football has ever witnessed.
With the tables now turned Emery looking for a comeback against PSG, and Enrique trying to protect a lead it would be natural to expect that extraordinary night to come up in conversation. But for Emery, the past is not a reference point. Instead, his focus is entirely on the present and on the unique identity and path that Aston Villa are forging under his leadership.
"I'm not going to talk to the players about those experiences," he said at the pre-match press conference. "Every idea and every word I share with them is focused on creating our own experiences with Aston Villa. I'm referring to the ones we've had this season and last season. We truly believe we can beat PSG. We want to make history here with Aston Villa. We need to turn Villa Park into a fortress, just like we’ve done before. We have to believe."
And there’s plenty of reason for belief. Villa Park has been one of the most formidable venues in European football this season. Emery’s team have played 25 matches at home across all competitions, and only two visiting sides have left with a victory Crystal Palace in the League Cup and Arsenal in the Premier League. That’s a remarkable record, especially considering the calibre of opposition that has come and gone without success. Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Nottingham Forest are just a few of the clubs that have felt the intensity and resilience of Villa Park.
The home crowd has become a vital part of Villa's success. Under the lights in European competition, the atmosphere has been electric, with fans pushing the team forward every step of the way. Emery knows that if his team is to overturn the deficit and reach the semi-finals, the supporters will play a crucial role not just as spectators, but as an active force behind every tackle, pass, and shot.
Tactically, Villa will need to strike a delicate balance between aggression and discipline. Conceding an early goal would leave them with a mountain to climb, but they also cannot afford to be too conservative against a PSG side packed with attacking firepower. The likes of Kylian Mbappé, Ousmane Dembélé, and Vitinha can punish the smallest defensive lapse. At the same time, Villa have weapons of their own Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey, and Moussa Diaby have all shown they can trouble top defences, especially when given space and momentum.
Another key factor could be Emery's vast experience in European knockout matches. With multiple Europa League titles to his name and countless battles at this stage of competitions, Emery knows how to manage high-pressure nights. His preparation, attention to detail, and motivational skills have already carried Aston Villa further than many expected this season.
For PSG, the challenge is equally psychological. Having suffered numerous heartbreaks in the Champions League in the past, the Parisian side will be desperate not to let another lead slip. Luis Enrique has brought a greater sense of tactical control and unity to the team since taking over, but the ghosts of past failures still linger. Villa Park will be a test of their character as much as their quality.
Tonight’s clash is more than just a football match it’s a showdown between two managers who know each other well, two clubs with something to prove, and two teams driven by belief. The stage is set, the stakes are massive, and Villa Park is ready. Whatever happens, it promises to be another unforgettable night in the Champions League.
Updated: 11:51, 15 Apr 2025
