Aston Villa were knocked out of the Champions League by PSG but the Premier League side almost completed an unlikely comeback on a memorable evening at Villa Park
Villa Park has never seen a night like it. There was open-mouthed astonishment everywhere - including that on the face of his royal highness Prince William.
People talk about the special nights at Anfield. And there have been more than a few. They talk about electric atmospheres at places such as Celtic Park or Old Trafford. But when Villa Park is roused, it becomes equal to all of them.
And boy was the volume raised to the max on Tuesday night. It was adrenalin-fuelled before the start as Aston Villa’s fans dared to dream. Then, after Emi Martinez’s early gaffe appeared to hand PSG an unassailable three-goal lead in the tie, that appeared to be that.
But manager Unai Emery has instilled this group with such confidence that they refuse to know when they are beaten.
One of the country's most famous sporting arenas was turned into a seething pit of excitement as one of the most improbable comebacks of all time approached reality.
It had all appeared routine when PSG swaggered into a two-goal lead shortly before the half-hour. Luiz Enrique’s side probably felt the tie was over. Four goals ahead?
As students of the game - and this competition will know - that’s dangerous territory. The French club has collapsed once before with a four-goal advantage. Seven years ago against Barcelona.
Villa boss Unai Emery will know that more than most - he was in charge at the Parc des Princes at the time. So, for this version of the Qatar-backed club to wilt, it should have been something new.
It wasn’t. They made a huge mistake underestimating Villa’s fighting spirit as they chased the improbable dream. The tie was on a knife-edge as the whole stadium sensed something special was in the air. After Ezri Konsa reduced the arrears to one, they were cheered to the rafters. It was a spellbinding sight.
Villa Park can be a place where the crowd waits to see which side turns up before they start cranking up the volume. But they didn’t need that. They were on it from the first whistle. And PSG won’t forget that in a hurry.