Paris Saint-Germain slipped back to old ways in 'victory' over Aston Villa

It was a performance that evoked uncomfortable memories for PSG fans. Not least of all the infamous “La Remontada” collapse against Barcelona in 2017, when the club surrendered a 4-0 first-leg lead to lose 6-1 at Camp Nou. Though disaster was narrowly averted in Birmingham, the psychological scars of past failures felt all too present.

Ousmane Dembele, named Player of the Match, reportedly refused the award in frustration — a telling gesture that captured the mood in the PSG camp. Even Gianluigi Donnarumma, who made crucial saves late to preserve the aggregate advantage, looked more relieved than celebratory.

To Villa’s credit, they made a contest of a tie that looked over. Goals from Youri Tielemans, John McGinn and Ezri Konsa brought the home crowd to life and PSG to their knees. Unai Emery’s side ultimately came up short, but their fearless response against elite opposition earned admiration and arguably the moral victory.

PSG, meanwhile, advances on paper but regresses in spirit. With a semifinal showdown against either Arsenal or Real Madrid looming, doubts about their mental resilience remain unresolved. For all its talent and attacking firepower, the Parisians again showed their vulnerability when pressure mounted.

It was a night that should have underlined PSG’s credentials as contenders, as they did throughout the competition this season. Instead, it served as a reminder that, for all their progress, they remain a team haunted by their past.