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Aston Villa vs PSG: Champions League team news, predicted lineups and injuries

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Aston Villa are gearing up for what could be the most pivotal night of their season as they prepare to host Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

The stakes couldn’t be higher, and Villa Park is set for a massive showdown on Tuesday night.

Last week, Villa fans were riding high after Morgan Rogers stunned PSG with a superb opening goal in Paris. Even Prince William, a known Villa supporter, was among those reveling in the moment.

However, the French giants quickly reminded everyone why they are one of the tournament’s top contenders.

Goals from Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia flipped the momentum, and Nuno Mendes dealt a late blow with an injury-time goal to give PSG a 3-1 advantage heading into the second leg.

Unai Emery’s squad now face a monumental task in trying to overturn the two-goal deficit, but there is some good news on the injury front. The squad is largely healthy, with just one concern in Leon Bailey.

The winger missed Saturday’s 3-0 victory at Southampton due to an unspecified injury, though he has returned to first-team training.

Emery shared an optimistic update, stating that Bailey is getting better and could be available for selection if not immediately, then potentially in time for Tuesday night’s clash.

Villa’s weekend win saw Emery rotate his lineup, with Ollie Watkins starting on the bench before coming on to score.

The England forward has been managing a minor knee issue and was sidelined for the first leg in Paris.

However, with Marcus Rashford underwhelming in that match, there’s a possibility Watkins could be restored to the starting lineup.

Emery hinted at testing a new dynamic up front, possibly pairing Watkins and Rashford together, though he admitted time constraints have limited the chance to experiment fully with that option.

Preparations for the game are in full swing, and Emery acknowledged that he hasn’t finalized his starting XI just yet.

The team trained over the weekend and again on Monday, and Emery emphasized the importance of evaluating each player’s physical and mental readiness before making any decisions.

One player who won’t be involved is Donyell Malen, who has scored in back-to-back Premier League games but is not part of Villa’s Champions League squad.

The outcome of this tie will determine who advances to face either Real Madrid or Arsenal in the semi-finals. Arsenal hold a commanding 3-0 lead over Madrid from the first leg in London, making them likely opponents for the winner at Villa Park.

Kick-off for Aston Villa vs PSG is scheduled for 8pm on Tuesday, April 15. Fans can catch the action live on Amazon Prime Video, with coverage starting at 6:30pm.

With Villa needing something special to stay in the Champions League hunt, all eyes will be on how Emery’s side responds on this high-stakes European night.

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Marcus Rashford ‘chooses next club’ as Aston Villa ponder £40m deal

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Marcus Rashford 'chooses next club' as Aston Villa ponder £40m deal
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Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is reportedly determined to force a move to Barcelona this summer.

The England international joined Aston Villa on loan in January and has impressed with four goals and six assists in 17 outings under Unai Emery, although a recent hamstring issue has kept him sidelined.

Villa hold an option to sign Rashford permanently for £40 million this summer, but they have yet to decide whether to trigger it—and they do not possess first refusal, meaning Manchester United could sell him elsewhere.

Rashford was heavily linked with Barcelona in January, but financial constraints scuppered a deal and opened the door for Villa.

Rashford ’looking to force’ Barcelona switch

Despite enjoying his spell in the West Midlands, Barcelona remain Rashford’s preferred destination.

According to Sport, his representatives have approached the Catalan giants about a potential loan move, though United would need to subsidise part of his £325,000‑a‑week wages—or Barcelona would have to agree to a significant pay cut on his behalf.

Clubs in Saudi Arabia and across the Premier League are also monitoring the situation, but Rashford has made it clear that he only wants to join Hansi Flick’s side.

Would Man United accept another loan deal?

Selling Rashford this summer would count as pure profit for United under Premier League Profit and Sustainability rules, thanks to his home‑grown status.

While United are keen to reinvest any funds raised, it’s hard to see them agreeing to another loan—especially one that leaves them covering part of his salary.

That said, they might contemplate a move with a mandatory purchase clause in 2026, giving them both short‑term flexibility and long‑term certainty.

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Ruben Amorim ‘could QUIT’ Man Utd as Sir Jim Ratcliffe fears revealed in shock report

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Ruben Amorim 'could QUIT' Man Utd as Sir Jim Ratcliffe fears revealed in shock report
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe is reportedly growing concerned that Ruben Amorim might walk away from Manchester United.

After Erik ten Hag’s dismissal in October 2024 following a 2-1 loss to West Ham, United moved swiftly to bring in Amorim on the back of his success at Sporting CP.

Yet translating his tactics at Old Trafford has proven challenging, with the Red Devils languishing in 16th place in the Premier League.

Despite domestic struggles, United have excelled in Europe and stand one win away from securing Champions League football by beating Tottenham Hotspur in Wednesday’s Europa League final.

Amorim himself hinted at the possibility of an early exit if results don’t improve, saying, “It’s a decisive moment in the history of the club. We need to be really strong in the summer and to be brave because we will not have a next season like this. If we start like this, if the feeling is still here, we should give the space to different people.”

According to The Sun, Ratcliffe—United’s minority owner and INEOS chairman—“remains concerned” that Amorim may decide “enough is enough after a campaign of chaos.”

The report suggests Ratcliffe views the 40-year-old Portuguese as somewhat of a “loose cannon” and wants reassurance that Amorim will honour the final two years of his contract rather than depart and leave the club in disarray.

Ahead of the crucial final, Amorim appeared undeterred, insisting on his belief in the squad’s readiness. “I am really confident. I feel that my players are ready for this game. They know what it means, not just for us but for our fans and for the club.

After this season, we are ready to fight for the one thing that can help us remember this season in a different way.

So I am really confident.” With both Ratcliffe’s concerns and Amorim’s resolve laid bare, all eyes will be on Wembley to see whether the Europa League final serves as a turning point for United’s tumultuous season.

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Ex Arsenal star Lacazette’s home burgled while playing final game for Lyon with cash and jewellery stolen

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Ex Arsenal star Lacazette’s home burgled while playing final game for Lyon with cash and jewellery stolen
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Alexandre Lacazette’s home was targeted by burglars while he was on the pitch for Lyon last night, according to French outlet Le Progrès.

The 33‑year‑old, playing his 391st and final match for his boyhood club, was facing Angers at Groupama Stadium when two intruders are reported to have broken into his residence in Lyon’s fifth arrondissement around 9.30 pm local time.

Once inside, they accessed a safe and made off with jewellery, luxury leather goods and cash, with the stolen haul “claimed to be tens of thousands of pounds.”

Security cameras captured the suspects, and police launched an investigation after the burglary was officially reported at 1.30 am.

Lacazette rose through Lyon’s youth system before joining Arsenal in 2017, then returned to France in 2022.

Manager Paulo Fonseca recently confirmed that Lacazette will depart when his contract expires this summer, as Lyon look to balance the books amid financial concerns.

In recognition of his service, supporters unveiled a giant tifo before kick‑off, and Lacazette honored them by scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory over Angers—his 200th and 201st for the club—securing a sixth‑place finish.

He joins several teammates who have suffered similar crimes in recent seasons, including Georges Mikautadze, who was robbed at gunpoint last December, and Dejan Lovren, who faced an attempted break‑in in October 2023.

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