UCL finalists predicted as Arsenal and Aston Villa's dreams left shattered

THE BIG DEBATE: Arsenal take on Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals while Aston Villa face Paris Saint-Germain, but not many punters are backing the Premier League duo

If you want to be the best, you've got to beat the best. And that's exactly what both Arsenal and Aston Villa will have to do in Champions League quarter-finals.

After a season chock-a-block with football, it's been a change of pace to go nearly a month since we had any action from Europe's elite competition. But now we're ready for a feast of football over next fortnight, as the first and second legs take place.

Tuesday sees Arsenal welcome 15-time winners and holders of the Champions League Real Madrid to the Emirates while Bayern Munich host Inter Milan in an equally mouth-watering matchup. Then on Wednesday, Villa make the trip to Paris in the hope that it'll go down as another famous night in their season, all while Borussia Dortmund, last season's surprise finalists, visit Barcelona.

But which teams from each side of the draw will be making the journey to Munich's Allianz come May 31? Will we have an El Clasico final for the first time in European Cup history or could a Premier League club upset the odds?

We asked the Mirror Football team for their predictions.

John Cross

El Clasico in the Champions League final. Just imagine that… and that is how I think it will pan out for Munich on May 31.

Real Madrid are red-hot favourites to see off Arsenal in their Champions League quarter-final because of their experience and know-how in Europe. They have not won the trophy 15 times for nothing. Even when they are not playing well, they know how to get the job done.

I would give Arsenal a 20 per cent chance - so they have a chance - but ultimately the lack of a striker and also Gabriel missing could be huge. Paris Saint-Germain were brilliant over two legs with Liverpool and I fancy them to see off Aston Villa even though Unai Emery's experience will give them a real chance. But Real will see off PSG in any semi-final.

On the other side, I fancy Barcelona to come through both the quarters and the semis because they have been such an attacking force. What a player Raphinha has been! Incredible. And what a final it could be.

Prediction: Real Madrid vs Barcelona

Which teams do you think will reach the Champions League final? Give us your prediction in the comments section.

Jeremy Cross

Without risking becoming a traitor, all Champions League roads this season could be heading to the dream final. Real Madrid versus Barcelona in Munich.

An El Clasico in the biggest club game of them all. Arsenal, Aston Villa and Harry Kane's Bayern Munich might have something to say about this.

But it's difficult not to look beyond the two Spanish giants and bitterest of rivals when it comes to wondering who might line up in the showpiece game. And despite all their success down the decades, Real and Barca have never met in the European Cup final.

Could it finally be time for this to change?

Prediction: Real Madrid vs Barcelona

David McDonnell

Given their formidable record in the competition, winning it a record 15 times - including five of the last nine years - it is hard to look beyond Real Madrid as finalists.

If they can get past Arsenal to reach the semi-finals, they are likely to face Paris Saint-Germain, who should overcome Aston Villa to end Premier League interest in the tournament.

If Real and PSG make it through to the semis, Carlo Ancelotti's team of superstars will have it all to do to get past Luis Enrique's impressive side, who knocked out soon-to-be-crowned Premier League champions Liverpool on penalties in the last round.

Despite Real's peerless pedigree in the Champions League, PSG are arguably the best team left in the tournament on current form. They retained their Ligue 1 title at the weekend with six games still to play and can finally go all the way in the Champions League, having lost in the final to Bayern Munich five years ago.

On the other side of the draw, Barcelona are joint favourites, along with PSG, to win the tournament and have what it takes to make it to the final. They have opened up a four-point lead over Real in LaLiga and are unbeaten in 2025, with boss Hansi Flick having made a big impression in his first season in charge.

Prediction PSG vs Barcelona

Neil Moxley

This is the business end of the competition - and I'm putting my money on it being an El Clasico final. Why? Goals, baby.

To be honest, I don't think there is a great deal between the semi-finalists I'm proposing, but the question has been asked. For that reason, I can't see beyond Real Madrid forcing their way past Arsenal and ensuring Mikel Arteta enjoys another barren campaign at the Emirates.

The Gunners, despite Bukayo Saka's return, have found it difficult to find the net. And Los Blancos have plenty in their own arsenal. No excusing the pun. If there was to be a counter-argument to my selection, Paris Saint-Germain could provide it.

Unai Emery's Aston Villa have enjoyed a superb campaign, save for a blip as winter approached. But, judging by the performance against Liverpool, PSG have the ability and desire to finally leave a mark on European competition.

They should have comfortably won in the French capital. Despite Villa enjoying a return leg at Villa Park, I fancy them to progress. I don't think they've got enough to topple Los Blancos, but wouldn't be surprised if they did.

In the other half of the draw, Inter have the defensive capability to keep out Harry Kane & Co. who profit regularly from what I believe is a weak Bundesliga. Similarly, I think Barcelona will have too much for Borussia Dortmund who aren't quite as strong as last season.

The semi-final could be touch and go but Barca's greater firepower will tell. That means it's set up for the Spanish big one in Munich.

Prediction: Real Madrid vs Barcelona

Chris McKenna

It's very hard to predict with four big quarter-finals to come but there is a growing feeling that this could be an El Classico final in Munich this May. You'd expect Real Madrid to get the better of Arsenal, and PSG to overcome Aston Villa to end English interest in the competition and set up a blockbuster semi-final which could be won by either side.

In the other half of the draw, Bayern Munich will be desperate to get to a final on home turf and should be too good for Inter Milan. But will Harry Kane be able to conquer Barcelona?

The LaLiga leaders have some unreal attacking players and you'd have to fancy them over two legs. It should be a fascinating week with these quarter-finals but the Spanish giants may just have too much for their rivals.

Prediction: Real Madrid vs Barcelona

Nathan Ridley

I've watched nearly every Barcelona game this season which is more than enough to know just how brilliant Hansi Flick's team are - and where they've got weaknesses. Whether it's their number-pumping attack of Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha and super sub Ferran Torres - who might even find himself starting these knockout games - the best midfielder on the planet in Pedri or the student-and-master centre-back pairing of Pau Cubarsi or Inigo Martinez, no manager in the world is getting more out of his players than Flick.

But fatigue is setting in. Saturday's 1-1 draw at home Real Betis was markedly laboured which doesn't bode well when you're trying to win a treble. Barca's priority will be converting their four-point lead at the top of LaLiga into a title win, plus they have the Copa del Rey final to come on April 26 - against Real Madrid no less.

That's why I reckon that Inter Milan's imperious defence and their lethal counter attacking will be the perfect foil for Flick's side in the semi-finals, after Simone Inzaghi & Co. prove to be too organised for an unconvincing Bayern Munich side. On the other half of the draw, I can see Luis Enrique's PSG having too much energy for Madrid - especially during the second leg which isn't at the Bernabeu.

Prediction: PSG vs Inter Milan

Sam Meade

The Spanish giants look back to their best and are firing domestically and in Europe. They appear to have adopted an attacking approach, sometimes simply operating on a 'we'll score more than you' approach. They have firepower that almost every team would envy and they have found form at a good time.

Those attacking exploits will be needed come the last four, where they'll face either Bayern Munich or Inter Milan, but otherwise they look good under a manager in Hansi Flick who has won the Champions League in the past.

On the other half of the draw it is looking like a PSG - Real Madrid semi and the Parisians are peaking. The narratives are endless as a team, who are more collective than ever, look primed in their post-Kylian Mbappe era to down the very man who left them for Real.

PSG stumbled through the league phase but were sensational in two games against Liverpool. Real have the know-how, and that is huge, but the French side have a togetherness that we've not seen before and, with a whiff of revenge in the air, they may just have enough to down the defending champions and make the final against Barcelona.

Prediction: PSG vs Barcelona

Oli Gamp

Everything points to an El Clasico final, but for some reason - I don't think it will be as simple as that. The Champions League often throws in some shocks and one of the favourites usually gets dumped out early.

Sorry, Arsenal fans, I don't think you've got a chance of upsetting Real Madrid. I believe Carlo Ancelotti's men have got too much for a depleted Arsenal side and the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham should do real damage.

And I can't see Aston Villa or PSG overcoming the 15-time champions either so they should make their second straight final. On the other side of the draw, I think LaLiga leaders Barcelona will cruise past Dortmund but come unstuck against Bayern Munich.

It should be the Spanish leaders against the German leaders if Vincent Kompany's men can see off Inter Milan and you only need to peer into the history books to see why I'm backing Bayern against Barca. The Bundesliga side have won 10 games to Barcelona's three in Champions League history - including the last SIX games in a row.

Barcelona failed to score in the last four of those and who could forget that harrowing 8-2 defeat in 2020, or the 7-0 aggregate win in the 2012-13 semi-finals. It's going to be Kane vs Lewandowski and a cracking contest but Bayern have got Barcelona's number and I think they'll be on the right side of history once again to reach the final.

Prediction: Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich