Aston Villa shows it belongs among Europe's elite despite PSG defeat

This was no flash in the pan. Villa’s run to the last eight included a standout win over Bayern Munich in the group stage, which shifted perceptions of the club across the continent.

"I am very proud of everything we did," Emery told Amazon Prime, via Sky Sports. "To get to this level is the best step forward to get to where I want to be at with Aston Villa.”

"The players showed capacity. We beat Bayern Munich and we won tonight, the players showed their capacity at this level, they are here because they deserve to be here and facing matches like today.”

Much of Villa’s growth can be traced to Emery’s leadership. The Spaniard, a four-time Europa League winner, has instilled structure, discipline and belief into a team that has evolved from Premier League surprise package into a side capable of competing with Europe's heavyweights. Even PSG manager Luis Enrique acknowledged the difficulty of facing them, which is a measure of the respect Villa now commands.

Backed by ambitious ownership and innovative recruitment, the club is building something sustainable. Their quarterfinal exit should not be seen as a failure, but as the beginning of a new era.

With the Premier League season nearing its conclusion, Villa sit seventh, just two points off fourth-placed Newcastle. They face Newcastle in a pivotal clash this weekend. A return to the Champions League remains within reach.

Meanwhile, silverware is still on the table. Emery’s side will face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semifinal. While winning the competition wouldn’t secure a Champions League place, it would guarantee Europa League football — another solid step for a club clearly on the rise.