PARIS — Khvicha Kvaratskhelia lit up the Parc des Princes with a spectacular goal as Paris Saint-Germain came from behind to defeat Aston Villa 3-1 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday.

Morgan Rogers had given Villa a surprise lead in the 35th minute, but PSG responded swiftly through Desire Doue, before Kvaratskhelia’s jaw-dropping solo effort early in the second half turned the tide. Nuno Mendes added a vital third in stoppage time, handing Luis Enrique’s men a two-goal advantage heading into the return leg in Birmingham next Tuesday.

Having knocked out Liverpool in the previous round, PSG are now on course to reach the semi-finals for the second consecutive season as they continue their pursuit of a maiden Champions League crown.

Villa Strike First

Villa, on a seven-game winning streak, looked to soak up pressure from the start. Despite a flurry of early PSG chances — including a stinging effort from Ousmane Dembele — it was Unai Emery’s men who struck first.

Captain John McGinn dispossessed Mendes near the halfway line and set Marcus Rashford free down the left. His pass found Youri Tielemans, whose low ball across goal was turned in by Rogers for his 14th goal of the season, stunning the Paris crowd — which included British royalty, Prince William and his son George, avid Villa fans.

PSG’s Rapid Response

The lead lasted just minutes. PSG pressed forward relentlessly and forced a corner after a near spill by Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez. From the set piece, the ball was worked across to 19-year-old Desire Doue, who curled a sublime shot into the far corner — continuing his breakout season with another moment of brilliance.

Doue’s strike was a highlight — until Kvaratskhelia stole the show.

Kvaratskhelia’s Moment of Magic

Just four minutes into the second half, Kvaratskhelia received a pass from Fabian Ruiz on the left flank, danced past substitute Axel Disasi with dazzling footwork, and rifled a shot off the near post and in — a goal that will be remembered among the Champions League greats.

Villa struggled to respond despite a flurry of substitutions, including the introduction of Marco Asensio, on loan from PSG. The visitors looked to be hanging on until Dembele fed Mendes in stoppage time, who buried PSG’s third to complete a dominant turnaround.

What’s Next

PSG now take a commanding 3-1 lead to Birmingham, though Villa will hope for a historic comeback reminiscent of Luis Enrique’s own famous reversal over Unai Emery’s PSG with Barcelona in 2017.

With Marquinhos set to return from suspension, and star forward Dembele continuing to fire, PSG look poised to reach the last four — but Emery’s Villa are far from done.