Summary

  1. 'That's the kind of play that we want to see'published at 11:45 Greenwich Mean Time

    Arsenal

    One of the highlights for Arsenal and Mikel Arteta last night was the performance of Raheem Sterling. With the tie all but decided in the first leg, Arteta had the luxury to rotate his team. Sterling got his chance and he proved that he can still be counted on at this level.

    Arteta said: "I was very happy for him and for a lot of individuals as well that they haven't had a lot of minutes recently. You could tell in the second half that we lacked the physical capabilities to make certain efforts and arrive to certain spaces at the right time. But overall, very happy that they got the minutes and they responded.

    "The way he tracked back as well to the corner in the last action when he got booked. That's the kind of play that we want to see."

    Media caption,

    Champions League highlights: Arsenal 2-2 (Agg 9-3) PSV

  2. Sterling makes history against PSVpublished at 11:41 Greenwich Mean Time

    Raheem Sterling became the first ever English player to be directly involved in at least one goal for four different clubs in the Champions League.

    The England international has plied his trade with the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, and now Arsenal. Sterling recorded two assists last night against PSV as Arteta rotated his starting XI after the first leg demolition of the Dutch side.

    But a great night turned sour just before the final whistle as the winger picked up a yellow card for a late challenge on Johan Bakayoko which means he will be suspended for the first leg against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.

    Media caption,

    MOTD analysis: Sterling's performance against PSV

  3. Arteta praises Arsenal's 'consistency' in reaching quarter-finalspublished at 11:35 Greenwich Mean Time

    Arsenal

    Mikel Arteta waxed lyrical about Arsenal's ability to reach two consecutive Champions League quarter-finals after his side demolished PSV 9-3 on aggregate.

    Arteta said: "That tells you the difficulty of it. We have to value that and recognise that it is very difficult to do it. We've done it consistently and now we want to make the next step, which is going to be really difficult. But we are very capable of that."

    Arsenal are now set to face 15-time champions Real Madrid in the last eight of the Champions League.

    Arteta speaking to the media.Image source, Getty Images
  4. What's still to come?published at 11:30 Greenwich Mean Time

    We'll continue reacting to last night's Champions League headlines, starting with Arsenal next.

    Our attention will then turn to tonight's Europa League and Conference League games with Manchester United, Tottenham, Rangers and Chelsea all in action.

    We're also set to hear from a few Premier League managers this afternoon. Graham Potter, Nuno Espirito Santo and Thomas Frank are all set to speak to the media.

  5. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:21 Greenwich Mean Time

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    As a City fan, I would like to see Vincent Kompany’s Bayern win the CL. Afterwards he then takes over from Pep and once again becomes a City Legend.

    Steve

  6. Emery's Villa aimspublished at 11:16 Greenwich Mean Time

    Aston Villa

    In his first press conference as Aston Villa manager, Unai Emery said: "My dream is to win a trophy with Aston Villa, it's my personal challenge at the beginning. And my second dream, my objective could be to play with Aston Villa in Europe."

    Aston Villa are into the quarter-finals of the Champions League. They're also into the last eight of the FA Cup.

    Things might not have gone completely to plan in the Premier League this season but Villa (eighth) are only four points behind Chelsea who are in fourth place.

    Emery has already achieved one of those dreams - bringing European football back to Villa Park. Could he achieve another?

  7. From PNE to PSG - Aston Villa's fixtures before CL quarter-finalspublished at 11:11 Greenwich Mean Time

    Aston Villa are set to go up against the hottest team in Europe at the moment in Paris St-Germain in the quarter-finals of the Champions League. But their run-in towards that first leg could prove to be fatigue-inducing as Unai Emery's side play three games in a span of a six days leading up to that.

    Below are the fixtures that Villa will have to push through coming out of the international break:

    • Preston North End (a) - FA Cup
    • Brighton (a)
    • Nottingham Forest (h)

    The first leg against PSG will be their fourth game in a span of 10 days with two of the three games leading up to it being away from home.

    They also have to travel to Southampton in the Premier League; sandwiched between the quarter-final tie against PSG.

    Unai Emery watching his side in action from the dugout.Image source, Getty Images
  8. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 11:06 Greenwich Mean Time

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    One my mates is a Villa fan, he has been through the wringer personally over the last few years and is a proper top guy. I hope Villa go on and win the CL for him. I’m a Liverpool fan.

    Dan

  9. 'It will be special returning to PSG'published at 11:00 Greenwich Mean Time

    Aston Villa 3-0 Club Brugge (agg 6-1)

    Aston Villa

    Paris Saint-Germain head coach Unai Emery is watched by Paris Saint-Germain's Qatari president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi as he speaks on the podium after winning the French Ligue 1 titleImage source, Getty Images

    Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says it will be fantastic to return to his former club Paris St-Germain for their Champions League quarter-final tie next month.

    "To play against PSG is special because I didn’t go back since I left, either playing or visiting Paris. It will be fantastic," Emery said after Villa sealed their 6-1 aggregate win against Club Brugge.

    Emery managed the Parisians between 2016 and 2018 and guided the club to a Ligue 1 title as well as two French Cups, two French League Cups and two Trophees des Champions.

    "[PSG] showed their capacity against Liverpool, the best team in the Premier League, and it will be a very huge challenge for Villa, for the supporters and players and coaches and me as well," Emery said.

    But when asked whether PSG was the best team in the competition, the Spaniard said: "Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, this is the level and we are in this level. We have to be proud."

  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:55 Greenwich Mean Time

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    I’m sorry but I will be truly amazed if it’s anything other than a PSG v Madrid semi final. We have to realistic, yes strange things happen in football but rarely over two legs. It’s simply a sub standard premiership this season but good luck to both Villa and Arsenal.

    Rich in Oxford

  11. Can Asensio play for Villa against parent club PSG?published at 10:50 Greenwich Mean Time

    Marco AsensioImage source, Getty Images

    Yes. Marco Asensio can face his parent club Paris St-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals.

    The 29-year-old moved from Parc des Princes on loan to Villa Park in February.

    Uefa rules state clubs cannot apply "any influence whatsoever over the players that another club may (or may not) field in a match".

  12. Villa move working out 'so well' for Rashford and Asensiopublished at 10:47 Greenwich Mean Time

    Aston Villa 3-0 Club Brugge (agg 6-1)

    Nedum Onuoha
    Former Manchester City defender on the Football Daily podcast

    I think in terms of Marcus Rashford's style of play, the direction that he's going, taking people on, the speed and that final ball, getting those assists for Marco Asensio, that stuff has been great.

    Managing to get those two players in January while not playing much for their teams has come at an expense, but they had to be able to see the hunger to make their difference and it's worked out so well for them.

  13. 'Asensio is world-class'published at 10:42 Greenwich Mean Time

    Aston Villa 3-0 Club Brugge (agg 6-1)

    Matthew Upson
    Former Arsenal defender on the Football Daily podcast

    Marco Asensio is clever in where he positions himself. It's a nightmare really.

    He comes on the pitch and he has the knack to pick up the right areas.

    You need to get yourself in a mentality that, when it's your turn to play your part, you're at your best and you're delivering and that's what world-class players do. He's in that bracket.

    He's a great signing for Villa and he's going to play a big part in the exciting finish to the season they have ahead.

    Media caption,

    Asensio puts Aston Villa 1-0 up against Club Brugge

  14. Postpublished at 10:41 Greenwich Mean Time

    Former England defender Matt Upson and ex-Manchester City player Nedum Onuoha both agreed with Shay Given's analysis, that Marco Asensio has helped to take Aston Villa to the next level since his arrival from Paris St-Germain...

  15. Asensio is a 'special player'published at 10:39 Greenwich Mean Time

    Aston Villa 3-0 Club Brugge (agg 6-1)

    Marco Asensio has been one of the key drivers of Aston Villa's recent success, after arriving on loan from Paris St-Germain in the winter transfer window.

    The 29-year-old Spanish forward scored twice in Wednesday's 3-0 second-leg win at home to Club Brugge, taking his goal tally to seven in five games.

    "Asensio has been a revelation, he has lit up Villa Park, he's a special player," said former Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given on BBC's Match of the Day.

    Click the play icon below for the panel's full analysis.

    Media caption,

    MOTD analysis: Asensio's 'fantastic' performance against Club Brugge

  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:32 Greenwich Mean Time

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    Congratulations to everyone involved at Aston Villa. The most remarkable achievement for Aston Villa - from a team that was languishing in the EFL Championship not so long ago and now in the quarter-finals of Europe’s top tier competition. They have certainly come a long way in a short period of time and serve as a template for other similar sized teams on how to run a club. Massive credit go to the owners, manager, players, staff and fans.

    Adam

  17. How will Villa and Arsenal fare? - Opta Supercomputerpublished at 10:28 Greenwich Mean Time

    The Opta Supercomputer has given Aston Villa a 27.9% chance of progressing past Paris St-Germain and into the semi-finals and a 7.7% probability of making the Champions League final in Munich.

    Interestingly, Arsenal are given a 52.8% chance of beating Real Madrid to reach the last four of the competition and a 30.3% chance of making the final.

    Villa and Arsenal are on the same side of the draw, so would meet in the semi-final, should they make it past the last eight.

  18. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 10:25 Greenwich Mean Time

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    No one would have expected it, no one, especially not Uefa. Who could have predicted the bad performances from Manchester City, PSG, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid in the group stages? So yes, we've had some luck along the way, but which clubs in the Champions League haven't? Liverpool were lucky not to get battered 5-0 in their first leg against PSG. Real were lucky not to lose last night. It's an absolute joy and privilege to see Villa amongst the Champions League elite clubs. I'm 30+ and thought I'd never see it again, especially when we were languishing in the Championship. To see the players of world class quality (Asensio, Rashford) and a manager who has won most things in Emery is a dream. Villa Park was rocking during that second half and on our day we are a match for anyone (just ask Bayern and Juve)! Winner coming from our half of the draw. Heard it here first!

    Josh, meant to be working at university

  19. How PSG ended Liverpool's Champions League hopespublished at 10:21 Greenwich Mean Time

    Liverpool 0-1 PSG (agg 1-1, 1-4 pens)

    Liverpool fans will need no reminding about just what Unai Emery's Aston Villa are up against...

    The Reds' Champions League ambitions came crashing down at Anfield on Tuesday after losing to Paris St-Germain on penalties in their last-16 tie.

    Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones saw their penalties saved by PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma before Desire Doue hammered home the winning spot-kick.

    Watch all the highlights from a highly dramatic second leg right here.

    Media caption,

    Liverpool's Champions League hopes ended after dramatic penalty shootout