Super Cup: PSG and Aston Villa meet again in Salzburg as Unai Emery enters new era with test against European kingpins

"We were really suffering. I do not think this team has been dominated in this way."

The words of Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique after holding off a late surge from Aston Villa in a nine-goal thriller on aggregate to progress to the Champions League semi-final on April 15, 2025.

Unai Emery's side were given little chance heading into the second leg at Villa Park. Morgan Rogers had provided a shock lead in Paris but the celebrations were cut short by Desire Doue's equaliser soon after.

Kvicha Kvaratskhelia then fired the eventual tournament winners ahead before Nuno Mendes dealt a late sucker punch to make it 3-1 heading into the reverse fixture.

Villa had a mountain to climb and very nearly summited it.

Early goals from Achraf Hakimi and Mendes again seemed to all but seal Villa's fate. Their return to Europe's elite competition was coming to an underwhelming end. Outmanned and overwhelmed by PSG's embarrassment of riches.

Then came the chaos. Youri Tielemans' deflected strike sparked hope. John McGinn's solo run and finish sent Villa Park into raptures. Ezri Konsa's goal following magic from Marcus Rashford turned hope into real belief.

Three goals in 23 minutes, including two within two minutes of each other.

"We were playing at a level that was not befitting of the Champions League," Enrique admitted after the game. "Villa had chances to equalise.

"The opponent had to take risks because they were going out of the competition. They attacked with real intensity and in front of a great crowd as well.

"At 2-0, we nearly had Villa on the canvas. We reached a point where perhaps it was too easy, a bit of overconfidence, and that gave Villa a chance."

The comeback fell short. Villa emerged victorious in the battle but ultimately lost the war, bowing out with their heads held high with a 3-2 win on the evening but a 5-4 defeat on aggregate.