McGinn says Villa want to make ‘history’ in Champions League

Aston Villa captain John McGinn has warned Paris Saint-Germain that his team want to “write our names in history” when they meet in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Villa booked their first appearance in the last eight of Europe’s elite club competition for 42 years with a 3-0 win against 10-man Club Brugge on Wednesday.

Unai Emery’s side romped to a 6-1 aggregate victory in the last 16 as Marco Asensio came off the bench to score twice in the second half of the second leg at Villa Park.

Brugge had Kyriani Sabbe sent off for a professional foul on Marcus Rashford early in the first half.

"It's been a lot of years of hard work"

John McGinn was in the Championship with Aston Villa, he'll now play in the Champions League Quarter-Finals with them 📈

🎙@Becky_Ives_ | 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/MU7e1N3wS7

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 12, 2025

Ian Maatsen netted in between Asensio’s brace to set up a fascinating clash with Ligue 1 leaders PSG, who beat Liverpool on penalties at Anfield on Tuesday.

Villa are looking to reach the semi-finals for the first time since winning the tournament in 1982 and Scotland midfielder McGinn is determined to keep their fairytale campaign going against PSG in April.

“It’s mad. A lot of years of hard work. Champions League quarter-finalists? Can’t ask for much more,” he said.

“We let ourselves down in the first half but even with 10 men they were the better side. We’re lucky to have Marco to come off the bench. The second half was brilliant.

“It doesn’t get much harder than PSG over two legs. We’re giving these fans experiences they’ll remember forever.

“We want to write our names in history and make these nights more frequent.”

Villa were surprise qualifiers for the Champions League after finishing in the Premier League’s top four last season.

In their first appearance in the competition since 1982-83, Villa enjoyed memorable wins over Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, Bologna and Celtic in the league phase before dispatching Brugge.

‘Exciting end to the season’

With noted Villa fan Prince William cheering them on from the stands, Emery’s men recovered from a nervous start to extend their remarkable Champions League run.

Villa are also chasing FA Cup glory for the first time since 1957 and travel to Championship side Preston in the quarter-finals on March 30.

“It’ll be good to have a bit of a break. We have a chance for Wembley in the FA Cup,” McGinn said.

“We want to get back and enjoy these nights next season. What an exciting end to the season we’ve got.”

Villa’s hopes of an incredible climax to the season can be traced back to Emery’s arrival at the club in 2022.

Emery has revitalised Villa since replacing the sacked Steven Gerrard and the four-time Europa League winner, with Sevilla and Villarreal, is once again showing his managerial acumen on the biggest stage.

His decision to send on Asensio and Leon Bailey at half-time against Brugge paid dividends as the pair immediately combined for the opening goal.

Facing PSG will be extra special for Emery, who spent two turbulent years in charge there, winning the French title in 2018 but eventually leaving under a cloud after a pair of disappointing Champions League exits.

“We started the match under our expectations. They dominated the match. We didn’t play the first half like we planned,” Emery said.

“We spoke at half-time, changed some thing, tried to change something in our minds to play better and it was completely different.”