Rio Ferdinand believes Aston Villa’s hopes in the Champions League will end as they face the toughest team left
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Updated 10:13, 17 Mar 2025
Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand isn't optimistic about Aston Villa's chances against PSG
(Image: Getty Images)
After making it to the Champions League, Aston Villa has been on a roll under Unai Emery, making it to the quarter-finals after a resounding win over Club Brugge. But, according to Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand, their dreams of going any further may be put in check.
After a favourable round of 16 draw Villa were left with a tough mountain to climb in the quarter-finals playing either Liverpool or PSG, but after a nail-biting penalty shootout were left with a trip to Paris.
Being one of just two Premier League teams left, the Villans have three weeks to prepare for their clash against the European giants, but Rio Ferdinand has revealed one reason that gives them an advantage over any European club.
The former England international said: “If I’ve got to predict who is going to win the Champions League I’m going Barcelona in the final against Paris Saint-Germain. It’s going to be PSG or Real Madrid, isn’t it?
“PSG have been the best team to watch for me this year in the knockout stages, definitely the most impressive so I’m going to go for them. The fact that in their league they can afford to rest players is going to be a massive thing for this PSG team going forward.
PSG coach Luis Enrique
Luis Enrique is a proven Champions League winner after his time at Barcelona
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“Liverpool played eight of the same players that played at the weekend in the Champions League and I think PSG rested most of their players if not all of them. Big difference, freshness to overrun teams.”
Now under the management of previous Champions League winner Luis Enrique, the Parisian side are looking to breeze to another Ligue 1 win as they sit 19 points clear at the top of the table. Enrique’s point cushion will allow him to continue to rest some of his stars as the club continues to search for a Champions League title.
Meanwhile Unai Emery has to balance an opposite situation, with club sitting at ninth they will need a big push in the league to claim any European spots for next season creating an even tougher match-up.