Unai Emery ‘makes Jacob Ramsey error’ – Aston Villa confirmed XI v PSG
Unai Emery has made seven changes to his Aston Villa side as they travel to face PSG in the Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday.
The Villans are preparing for one of the biggest nights in their recent history with a clash against the Ligue 1 giants at the Parc Des Princes on 9 April.
This comes just four days after the B6 club took a step towards a top-five finish with a 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest at Villa Park.
Morgan Rogers and Donyell Malen were on the scoresheet in B6, but with a completely different battle awaiting in the French capital, it is unsurprising that changes have been made.
Aston Villa confirmed XI v PSG
It will come as little surprise to see Emi Martinez line up in goal for the away side as he looks to reignite his rivalry with the French supporters.
The World Cup winner made two saves in Villa’s last outing [FotMob] and will be hopeful of yet another positive performance in the Champions League.
Ahead of him, Emery has utilised four changes as Tyrone Mings, Axel Disasi Andres Garcia, and Ian Maatsen have dropped out despite the latter’s assist and 100 per cent dribble success last time out.
This has allowed Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne and Matty Cash to return to the side despite Disasi’s 90 per cent pass accuracy against the Reds.
In midfield, Emery has John McGinn and Boubacar Kamara back to the starting 11 to replace Amadou Onana alongside Youri Tielemans, who also grabbed an assist at Villa Park.
The forward line contains two changes as Malen is absent from the Champions League squad, and Marco Asensio has dropped to the bench.
This has seen Marcus Rashford and Jacob Ramsey come in from the start. The latter failed to win a single duel against Forest last time out in a zero per cent win rate, which may see him struggle against the Parisians.
Emery has then opted to continue with Morgan Rogers in his side after the 22-year-old scored and completed three dribbles in his last B6 outing.
Up front, Ollie Watkins has not been trusted from the start after having just nine touches in 62 minutes against Forest.
Aston Villa in coming of age clash v PSG
The Villans have been on a huge upward trajectory since the introduction of Emery, and on 9 April, it takes yet another huge step upwards.
PSG have arguably been the best side in Europe this season after already dumping out Premier League leaders Liverpool in the round of 16.
As a result, there will be fear around the Parisians but there is no doubt that the Villans also have qualities of their own that make them a danger.
| Date | Stage | Opponent | Result |
| 17/09/24 | League Phase | Young Boys (A) | 0-3 (W) |
| 02/10/24 | League Phase | Bayern Munich (H) | 1-0 (W) |
| 22/10/24 | League Phase | Bologna (H) | 2-0 (W) |
| 06/11/24 | League Phase | Club Brugge (A) | 1-0 (L) |
| 27/11/24 | League Phase | Juventus (H) | 0-0 (D) |
| 10/12/24 | League Phase | RB Leipzig (A) | 2-3 (W) |
| 21/01/25 | League Phase | Monaco (A) | 1-0 (L) |
| 29/01/25 | League Phase | Celtic (H) | 4-2 (W) |
| 04/03/25 | Round of 16 | Club Brugge (A) | 1-3 (W) |
| 12/03/25 | Round of 16 | Club Brugge (H) | 3-0 (W) |
The combination of the likes of Rogers and Rashford with Asensio also milling around could cause huge problems, regardless of the challenge they face.