Aston Villa will take on Paris Saint-Germain for a chance of reaching the Champions League semi-finals
PSG boss Luis Enrique
PSG boss Luis Enrique(Image: Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique says Aston Villa have proven themselves to be one of the best teams in the world after progressing to the Champions League quarter-finals.
The French champions face Villa in the last eight of the competition next month, with the first leg set to be played at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, April 9, before the return meeting takes place in B6 the following Tuesday.
Villa beat Club Brugge 6-1 on aggregate in the round of 16 after qualifying automatically via an eighth-placed finish in the league phase table.
PSG, meanwhile, ended the league phase in 15th place, before beating Brest in the knockout play-offs and then taking on Liverpool in the last 16.
Despite heading to Anfield with a one-goal deficit, PSG managed to level the tie up on Merseyside and then book their place in the quarter-finals, winning 4-1 on penalties.
“The draw was already set, and we knew that,” Enrique said of facing Villa. “Of course, I know Aston Villa because I have watched a lot of their matches.
“Now I look at Aston Villa with different eyes. They are one of the best teams in Europe because they have got through and they are in the final eight. It will be difficult.
“I have known Unai Emery for a long time. I have faced him many times as a coach. I know his quality, how he analyses things so deeply, and he is one of the coaches who has caused me the most problems.
“He knows us and will be very prepared. He has had success wherever he has been."
PSG will be without their defender and captain Marquinhos for the first leg, leaving Lucas Beraldo as a likely starter alongside Willian Pacho.
“Lucas Beraldo was born ready,” Enrique added. “We have seen that since day one. You can’t train better than him, you can’t be better in competition or more prepared, whether it is 10 minutes or 90 minutes.
“He is always ready. Whether you need him on the right or on the left, he is always ready. He doesn’t get fazed by pressure. He goes for every ball and is a very important player for us despite his age.”
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