Aston Villa are set on defying expectations as they face Paris Saint-Germain in the opening match of their Champions League quarter-final clash on Wednesday evening.

The Villans enter the match as underdogs, taking on the freshly crowned 2024/25 Ligue 1 champions, who demonstrated exceptional skill and unity during their last 16 victory over Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Yet, the West Midlands team has shown they can stand toe-to-toe with the best, thanks to former PSG manager Unai Emery leading them to remarkable heights. Villa is confident in their capability to compete fiercely at their dynamic and finely-tuned peak.

Here is how the Villans could line up for a gargantuan encounter.

GK: Emiliano Martinez – Martinez broke French hearts in the 2022 World Cup final and he will be aiming to do the same over the next week. He’ll be kept busy across the two legs, that’s for sure.

RB: Matty Cash – Cash was one of many established starters who was rested during the weekend victory over Nottingham Forest. The Poland international has the unenviable task of suppressing the insatiable Bradley Barcola.

CB: Ezri Konsa – Defensive injuries have caused issues for Villa this season but Konsa has been the epitome of consistency in the heart of the backline. A reliable performance will be needed against Ballon d’Or contender Ousmane Dembele.

CB: Pau Torres – Villa have been boosted by the return of Torres in recent weeks and the Spaniard could usurp Tyrone Mings in the starting lineup for such a sizeable affair.

LB: Lucas Digne – It’s almost a decade since the France international donned PSG colours, with spells at Roma, Barcelona and Everton having followed. He’s found safe refuge at Villa Park.

DM: Boubacar Kamara – Kamara will feel the support of former employers Marseille once again as he battles their Classique rivals PSG. The midfielder will need to offer plenty of defensive cover to stifle a deadly front three.

DM: Youri Tielemans – Tielemans has failed to win any of his seven previous meetings with PSG during his Anderlecht and Monaco days. Not the best omen ahead of two mammoth quarter-final ties.

RW: Morgan Rogers – Emery has been crucial in the development of Rogers, who will undoubtedly be discussed by Europe’s elite this summer. Another goal at the weekend took his season tally to 13 in all competitions.

AM: John McGinn – The term ‘attacking midfielder’ may be loosely applied to McGinn on Wednesday. The indefatigable Scotsman will be expected to cover vast ground defensively in a bid to halt PSG’s relentless attack.

LW: Marcus Rashford – Rashford has once again been linked with PSG and has scored crucial goals on both of his previous trips to the Parc des Princes with Manchester United.

ST: Ollie Watkins – Watkins hasn’t been matching his usual lofty standards in recent outings and is without a goal in four matches. Still, one would expect him to cause issues for PSG’s defence, who are missing skipper Marquinhos through suspension.