CONFIRMED lineups for PSG v Aston Villa

Aston Villa pay a visit to the Parc des Princes in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals after easing past Club Brugge in the last 16 of the tournament. They face a PSG side who ousted Liverpool on penalties in the last round, and promise to be a much stiffer test for the Villains.

Former PSG head coach Unai Emery is aiming to upset his former employers as Villa look to reach the semi-finals on their return to Europe's top club competition. "To be in the Champions League is amazing but we want to be consistently doing it at this level," the Spaniard said on the eve of the clash.

But Parisians will be feeling full of confidence after securing their 13th Ligue 1 title on Sunday against Angers. With six games remaining until the end of the term, PSG continue their unbeaten run in the French top flight, equally demonstrating their dazzling form in Europe under Luis Enrique.

The English side will be especially relying on Marco Asensio, who is set to play against his parent club tonight, and Marcus Rashford, with the duo making an immediate impact since landing in Birmingham during the January transfer window.

Asensio has revived his career at Villa, scoring 8 goals in 11 appearances, including three over the two legs of their last-16 win against Club Brugge, while the Man United loanee counts 3 goals and 4 assists in 12 matches and has a pedigree against PSG in European competition.

He scored a crucial stoppage-time penalty when United beat PSG 3-1 at the Parc des Princes in 2019 to win a last-16 tie on away goals. Rashford also struck a late winner in Paris when the Old Trafford club won 2-1 in a group-stage contest in 2020, played behind closed doors during the pandemic.

On the other hand, Ousmane Dembele will be without a doubt the host's threat in the French capital thanks to his spectacular form this term. The PSG forward is up to 32 goals in all competitions and is leading the race to become Europe's top goalscorer of the calendar year with 24 goals in 2025.

Paris Saint-Germain's starting XI: Donnarumma (GK); Hakimi, Beraldo, Pacho, Mendes, Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Kvaratskhelia, Dembele and Doue.

Aston Villa's starting XI: Martinez (GK); Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; Rogers, McGinn, Rashford; Ramsey.