Paris Saint-Germain burnished their Champions League-winning credentials with a blistering display against Aston Villa on Tuesday night.
The only blemish on an otherwise stellar night was their inability to score more than the three they managed against Unai Emery's side. The French champions showed their mettle in the last round by knocking out tournament favourites Liverpool.
Their task against Villa, managed by their shrewd former head coach, was vastly different. Yet, Luis Enrique's men took to it with as much verve and vigour as they went about dismantling Arne Slot's Reds.
As in that tie, PSG's dominance was not reflected in the scoreline. On Wednesday night it was Morgan Rogers and Villa who struck first after a devastating counter attacking.
But the goal only served to focus the minds of those in blue. First, Desire Doue levelled things up with a stunning curling effort from the edge of the area before the interval. After the break, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia completed the comeback with an equalling jaw-dropping strike that left Emi Martinez dumfounded.
And just when Villa thought they'd got away with a deficit of only one goal, Nuno Mendes added his entry to 'goal of the night' competition. On a thrilling night of action in the French capital, Mail Sport's TOM COLLOMOSSE rates the players on both sides.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (4-3-3)
GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA 6
Had little to do before the break but looked shaky when he palmed away Tielemans’ long free-kick and was lucky it fell safe.
ACHRAF HAKIMI 6.5
A constant threat down the Villa left but his desire to attack meant space for Villa to attack beyond him.
LUCAS BERALDO 6
In for the suspended Marquinhos, the centre-back looked uneasy when he had to face the pace of Rashford, who often found himself one-on-one
WILLIAN PACHO 7
The senior partner at the back for PSG generally had a tidy first half though he was bypassed by Tielemans’ cut-back for Rogers goal.
NUNO MENDES 7.5
After a brilliant opening half-hour, he was robbed by McGinn for Villa’s goal and was left stranded when Rogers arrived at the far post to tap home – but made up for it by scoring the third.
JOAO NEVES 6.5
Very tidy in possession and often swapped positions with Vitinha in midfield though rarely looked like the one who would unlock the door.
VITINHA 8
A classic tempo-setting midfielder, everything PSG do goes through Vitinha. Dictated the game early on and might have done better with a shot from the edge of the box.
FABIAN RUIZ 6.5
The Spaniard is the most physical of the PSG midfield trio and Villa had to be wise to his forward runs through the middle.
*DESIRE DOUE 8.5*
What a fabulous prospect. Started the game trying to do too much but soon found his rhythm in a free attacking role – and scored a sensational goal.
OUSMANE DEMBELE 6
Generally a sloppy performance from PSG’s star of the season. Several simple passes went astray and his decision-making was unusually poor – until he set up the third for Mendes.
KHVICHA KVARATSKHELIA 8
Gave Cash plenty of problems early on by running at him, forcing a booking and providing plenty of headaches for the Villa defence. Sensational strike.
SUBS
WARREN ZAIRE-EMERY 6
BRADLEY BARCOLA 6
MANAGER LUIS ENRIQUE 7
ASTON VILLA (4-4-1-1)
EMILIANO MARTINEZ 6
Arrived to a fiery reception from the home crowd and though he made important contributions, he was unusually jittery at times and could do little about Doue’s goal.
MATTY CASH 5
This is perhaps a step above Cash’s natural level and at times it showed. But the Villa right-back’s attitude can never be questioned. Booked and therefore subbed at half-time.
EZRI KONSA 8
Made a series of decisive interceptions and has a handy knack for winning free-kicks near his own box when Villa are under pressure. A proper centre-half.
PAU TORRES 6
He doesn’t possess Konsa’s defensive instincts but would have been glad that Dembele was so far off his best before the break.
LUCAS DIGNE 6
Did well against Doue initially but was then left with a problem when the young man drifted inside, but generally coped better than Cash.
MORGAN ROGERS 6.5
Was well shackled by Mendes for most of the match but when he got free, it was to finish off an excellent move and put Villa ahead. More needed next week.
BOUBACAR KAMARA 8
Got away with a risky early challenge on Kvaratskhelia but after that he was so vital, stepping in to block PSG’s passing routes time and again.
YOURI TIELEMANS 7.5
He was never going to be able to dictate a game like this but he set up Rogers goal and mostly carried out his defensive work as required.
JACOB RAMSEY 6
Started well, using his physical power in both attacking and defensive moments, but seemed to fade after falling awkwardly in the first half and having lengthy treatment. Replaced by Asensio.
JOHN McGINN 7.5
Superb for Villa’s goal, barging Mendes off the ball and setting up Rashford, while being detailed to look after Vitinha. Did a difficult job well.
MARCUS RASHFORD 6
He can disappear to the margins of the game for long spells but when he is involved, he has the ability to be very dangerous. Helped create Rogers’ goal and worried Beraldo with his pace.
SUBS
AXEL DISASI 6
Replaced Cash at half-time and was promptly embarrassed by Kvaratskhelia for the home side’s second.
MARCO ASENSIO 6
Villa’s PSG-owned loanee was sent on for Ramsey to add finesse to the visitors’ attacking play.
OLLIE WATKINS 6
IAN MAATSEN 6
AMADOU ONANA 6
MANAGER UNAI EMERY 6.5
REFEREE MAURIZIO MARIANI 6