POLL: Should Alvarez 'double touch' penalty have been disallowed?
Arsenal to face Real Madrid after cruising through on aggregate against PSV
Villa also through to play PSG with 3-0 home win over Club Brugge
Build-up to crunch Europa League matches involving Man Utd, Spurs & Rangers
Conference League: Chelsea looking to reach quarter-finals against Copenhagen
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Image source, Getty ImagesYes. Marco Asensio can face his parent club Paris St-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The 29-year-old moved from Parc des Princes on loan to Villa Park in February.
Uefa rules state clubs cannot apply "any influence whatsoever over the players that another club may (or may not) field in a match".
Aston Villa 3-0 Club Brugge (agg 6-1)
Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City defender on the Football Daily podcast
I think in terms of Marcus Rashford's style of play, the direction that he's going, taking people on, the speed and that final ball, getting those assists for Marco Asensio, that stuff has been great.
Managing to get those two players in January while not playing much for their teams has come at an expense, but they had to be able to see the hunger to make their difference and it's worked out so well for them.
Aston Villa 3-0 Club Brugge (agg 6-1)
Matthew Upson
Former Arsenal defender on the Football Daily podcast
Marco Asensio is clever in where he positions himself. It's a nightmare really.
He comes on the pitch and he has the knack to pick up the right areas.
You need to get yourself in a mentality that, when it's your turn to play your part, you're at your best and you're delivering and that's what world-class players do. He's in that bracket.
He's a great signing for Villa and he's going to play a big part in the exciting finish to the season they have ahead.
Asensio puts Aston Villa 1-0 up against Club Brugge
Former England defender Matt Upson and ex-Manchester City player Nedum Onuoha both agreed with Shay Given's analysis, that Marco Asensio has helped to take Aston Villa to the next level since his arrival from Paris St-Germain...
Aston Villa 3-0 Club Brugge (agg 6-1)
Marco Asensio has been one of the key drivers of Aston Villa's recent success, after arriving on loan from Paris St-Germain in the winter transfer window.
The 29-year-old Spanish forward scored twice in Wednesday's 3-0 second-leg win at home to Club Brugge, taking his goal tally to seven in five games.
"Asensio has been a revelation, he has lit up Villa Park, he's a special player," said former Aston Villa goalkeeper Shay Given on BBC's Match of the Day.
Click the play icon below for the panel's full analysis.
MOTD analysis: Asensio's 'fantastic' performance against Club Brugge
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Congratulations to everyone involved at Aston Villa. The most remarkable achievement for Aston Villa - from a team that was languishing in the EFL Championship not so long ago and now in the quarter-finals of Europe’s top tier competition. They have certainly come a long way in a short period of time and serve as a template for other similar sized teams on how to run a club. Massive credit go to the owners, manager, players, staff and fans.
Adam
The Opta Supercomputer has given Aston Villa a 27.9% chance of progressing past Paris St-Germain and into the semi-finals and a 7.7% probability of making the Champions League final in Munich.
Interestingly, Arsenal are given a 52.8% chance of beating Real Madrid to reach the last four of the competition and a 30.3% chance of making the final.
Villa and Arsenal are on the same side of the draw, so would meet in the semi-final, should they make it past the last eight.
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No one would have expected it, no one, especially not Uefa. Who could have predicted the bad performances from Manchester City, PSG, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid in the group stages? So yes, we've had some luck along the way, but which clubs in the Champions League haven't? Liverpool were lucky not to get battered 5-0 in their first leg against PSG. Real were lucky not to lose last night. It's an absolute joy and privilege to see Villa amongst the Champions League elite clubs. I'm 30+ and thought I'd never see it again, especially when we were languishing in the Championship. To see the players of world class quality (Asensio, Rashford) and a manager who has won most things in Emery is a dream. Villa Park was rocking during that second half and on our day we are a match for anyone (just ask Bayern and Juve)! Winner coming from our half of the draw. Heard it here first!
Josh, meant to be working at university
Liverpool 0-1 PSG (agg 1-1, 1-4 pens)
Liverpool fans will need no reminding about just what Unai Emery's Aston Villa are up against...
The Reds' Champions League ambitions came crashing down at Anfield on Tuesday after losing to Paris St-Germain on penalties in their last-16 tie.
Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones saw their penalties saved by PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma before Desire Doue hammered home the winning spot-kick.
Watch all the highlights from a highly dramatic second leg right here.
Liverpool's Champions League hopes ended after dramatic penalty shootout
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Aston Villa goalkeeper Brad Friedel says Unai Emery is a "master tactician" who will try and stop Paris St-Germain from playing their game when the two sides meet in the Champions League quarter-finals.
"PSG are a very good side but they've changed their philosophy recently, especially under Luis Enrique. They're no longer just spending money on names," Friedel told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"I've known a few managers that haven't had the happiest of times there, off the field and trying to build something at PSG. It seems like they finally listened to the sporting directors, finally listened to the head coaches and changed things. It'll be difficult, man.
"PSG beat a very, very good Liverpool side over two legs. In that first leg, especially if Alisson didn't play so well, the tie could have been dead and buried but Unai Emery is a master tactician - he really is - and he'll try to obviously stop PSG from playing. They're very, very energetic going forward.
"I love the fact that Aston Villa has one of the best goalkeepers in the world as well because he's going to have to make some saves over the two legs, for sure."
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Everything is possible with Emery. UTV.
Chris, Manchester
Who is to say Unai Emery will not prove the Opta Supercomputer wrong?
To be clear, we are not framing Aston Villa as the underdogs, we leave that to the experts...
Heading into the round of 16, the Opta Supercomputer had Liverpool as favourites to win the Champions League. PSG knocked the Reds out on penalties.
This is how the Opta Supercomputer assesses each teams' chances of winning the competition:
Barcelona (20.4%)
PSG (19.3%)
Arsenal (16.8%)
Inter Milan (16.4%)
Real Madrid (13.6%)
Bayern Munich (9.7%)
Aston Villa (2.8%)
Borussia Dortmund (1%)
This morning we've been reacting to last night's Champions League drama - plenty more of that to come.
Want to watch all the goals? You can do so right here.
We'll also be building up to tonight's European action featuring Manchester United, Spurs, Rangers and Chelsea. And this afternoon we're set to hear from a few Premier League managers.
Gallagher opens the scoring for Atletico Madrid
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Lewis, Villa fan: Re. Eric - surely the new format isn't necessarily about having 8 completely random teams in the QFs. The sharp end of competitions will always likely have the best teams, but the journey to get here has provided more excitement and potential jeopardy than previous years.
Protagonist is an interesting word for Unai Emery to use in this context, but it certainly seems to fit the role Aston Villa are playing in this season's Champions League.
The word itself has a double meaning:
Villa qualified directly for the Champions League last 16 as one of the top eight clubs in the league phase, and are now sure to play up to their role as underdog against Paris St-Germain, who are being talked up as potentially Europe's most in-form team following their victory over Liverpool.
Asensio puts Aston Villa 1-0 up against Club Brugge
Aston Villa 3-0 Club Brugge (agg 6-1)
Image source, Getty ImagesAston Villa manager Unai Emery said his side have set their sights on becoming the protagonists in this season's Champions League.
The 1982 European champions will now face Paris St-Germain in their first European Cup or Champions League quarter-final since 1983.
“I’m very proud of our supporters, our work, the players, the club, the workers because we’re increasing our demand,” Emery said.
“In increasing our demand, we have to get the objective we are facing in the high level we have to get. This season, playing in the Champions League was a very good opportunity when we started and we’re really focusing a lot in the Champions League about how we can be a protagonist.
“Today we competed against one team and performed very well. I’m very happy with how we are in the way and we’re going to play a quarter-final against PSG.
“This is two matches more for our supporters to be with us, to share with us their emotions and we’re going to try to prepare as best as possible to continue like we are doing.”
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We will be the underdog, which means it is enjoyable if we win or lose. All of the pressure will be on PSG. Look how we competed with Liverpool. "We conquered Europe in 1982 ... Allez Allez". We dare to dream.
Joe - Villa fan
Aston Villa 3-0 Club Brugge (agg 6-1)
This is a reminder of what was getting the Prince of Wales - and the rest of the home fans in Villa Park last night - so excited...
Champions League highlights: Aston Villa 3-0 (Agg 6-1) Club Brugge
Aston Villa 3-0 Club Brugge (agg 6-1)
Click on the link below to see the future king of England absolutely living the Villa dream.
The Prince of Wales was born on 21 June, 1982 - the year Aston Villa won the European Cup.
And he was not even one the last time they reached the quarter-finals.
For the majority of Villa fans, this really is a once in a lifetime experience.
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Right, with that Champions League final date clear in our minds, let's start to crank up the excitement.
Over to you Villa and Arsenal fans...
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 5 | 12 | 19 |
| |
| 2 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 19 |
| |
| 3 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 18 |
| |
| 4 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 9 | 8 | 17 |
| |
| 5 | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 16 |
| |
| 6 | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 15 |
| |
| 7 | Olympiakos Piraeus | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 15 |
|
| 8 | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 10 | 6 | 14 |
| |
| 9 | Bodø / Glimt | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 11 | 3 | 14 |
|
| 10 | Anderlecht | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 12 | 2 | 14 |
|
| 11 | FCSB | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 14 |
|
| 12 | Ajax | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 8 | 8 | 13 |
|
| 13 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 13 |
| |
| 14 | Galatasaray | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 19 | 16 | 3 | 13 |
|
| 15 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 12 |
| |
| 16 | Viktoria Plzeň | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 12 | 1 | 12 |
|
| 17 | Ferencváros | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 12 |
|
| 18 | Porto | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 11 |
|
| 19 | AZ | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 11 |
|
| 20 | Midtjylland | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 11 |
|
| 21 | Union Saint-Gilloise | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 11 |
|
| 22 | PAOK | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 10 | 2 | 10 |
|
| 23 | Twente | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 10 |
|
| 24 | Fenerbahçe | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 11 | -2 | 10 |
|
| 25 | Sporting Braga | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 12 | -3 | 10 |
|
| 26 | Elfsborg | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 9 | 14 | -5 | 10 |
|
| 27 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 14 | -3 | 9 |
| |
| 28 | Beşiktaş | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 15 | -5 | 9 |
|
| 29 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 17 | -9 | 6 |
|
| 30 | Slavia Prague | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 11 | -4 | 5 |
|
| 31 | Malmö FF | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 17 | -7 | 5 |
|
| 32 | Rīgas FS | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 13 | -7 | 5 |
|
| 33 | Ludogorets | 8 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 11 | -7 | 4 |
|
| 34 | Dynamo Kyiv | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 18 | -13 | 4 |
|
| 35 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 16 | -9 | 3 |
| |
| 36 | Qarabağ | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 20 | -14 | 3 |
|
