PSG Vs Aston Villa [3-1] – Champions League Quarter-Final First Leg 2024/2025 – Tactical Analysis

The UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa was a fascinating encounter of contrasting tactical philosophies between 2 Spanish managers, Luis Enrique vs Unai Emery.

Luis Enriques PSG utilised a fluid and adaptable 4-3-3 setup, which was a testament to their quality.

In contrast, Unai Emerys Aston Villa had a more risk-averse 4-2-3-1 approach, which later morphed into a 6-3-1 defensive shape out of possession.

The gulf in quality between the two teams, particularly in wide areas, was evident for viewers as PSG’s ability to exploit Villa’s defensive vulnerabilities ultimately defined the first tie with a 3-1 win for the Parisians.

This tactical analysis will unpack the tactical battle by looking into the structural dynamics of both teams, the individual matchups, and the theoretical implications of their respective approaches.

The discussion will also explore key moments that shaped the game, focusing on the pressing structures, defensive organisation, and the limitations of Aston Villa’s attacking transitions.

PSG Tactics: Fluidity Within A 4-3-3 & Central Overloads

Paris Saint-Germain’s nominal 4-3-3 formation was a foundational structure but was characterised by plenty of fluidity in execution.

One of the most notable aspects of PSG’s tactical approach was the role of Ousmane Dembélé, who frequently left his position on the wing to drop into central areas as a false nine.

This movement enabled PSG to create a 4v2 numerical superiority in central midfield, overloading Aston Villa’s midfield pairing of Boubacar Kamara and Youri Tielemans.

The execution of these central overloads relied heavily on the positional discipline and technical aptitude of PSG’s midfielders.

Fabián Ruiz, in particular, played a massive role in pinning Kamara deeper into his own half.

This positional manipulation prevented Kamara from stepping forward to press PSG’s build-up, thereby allowing the likes of Vitinha and João Neves to see more of the ball and dictate the tempo of the game.

Furthermore, Nuno Mendes aggressive overlapping runs on the left stretched Villa’s defensive line horizontally.

This movement