Aston Villa coach Emery remains bullish despite defeat in Paris

Villa took the lead in the first half in Paris through Morgan Rogers only for the hosts to turn the game on its head thanks to stunning strikes by Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia either side of the interval.

And a Nuno Mendes effort in stoppage time which gives PSG a two-goal cushion to take to Villa Park for the return appears to leave Emery's side with a huge task to turn the tie around.

"At 2-1 we were thinking about playing to win in the next match, and at 3-1 it is still the same," Emery said. "But we are here and enjoying it, and I am very proud of the players. We competed fantastically and we were close to getting a good result.

"At the end, with this goal, it is still more or less the same. Villa Park is our home, and hopefully there we will be stronger. But of course they are still favourites. They showed their power and individual quality."

Villa came to the French capital on a streak of seven straight wins in all competitions which has boosted their chances of qualifying for the Champions League again next season and taken them to the FA Cup semi-finals.

However, it will likely now require a special performance in Birmingham next Tuesday for them to carry on their current run in the Champions League.

"I am not happy but I am satisfied with the performance of the team. It is special for us to be in Paris and playing a Champions League quarter-final," Emery added. "The second leg will be just as difficult at 3-1 as it was at 2-1. We have to win."