Robbie Savage makes '1982' claim as Prince William inspires Aston Villa's Champions League run
Latest Aston Villa news as Unai Emery's side prepare for Champions League quarter-final clash with PSG
Pundit Robbie Savage has warned anyone writing off Aston Villa’s chances in the Champions League quarter-finals to think again.
Villa will go up against Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain in the last eight of the competition next month.
The first leg of the tie is set to be played at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, April 9, with the return meeting at Villa Park the following Tuesday.
Savage believes Unai Emery’s team can be a match for anyone in Europe, thanks to the manager’s “magic touch” and some excellent work in the transfer market.
“Unai Emery's magic touch in Europe and Marcus Rashford’s rebirth as a dynamic forward are turning Aston Villa into English football’s secret weapon in the Champions League,” the former midfielder said in his column for The Mirror.
“Yes, PSG will be favourites on paper. But when you look at Villa’s pace, mobility and firepower up front, suddenly the penny drops: Rashford, Marco Asensio, Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, Leon Bailey and Jacob Ramsey are a handful for anyone.
“And the quality of Emery’s squad, especially in forward areas, means they cannot be written off as Champions League makeweights.”
Villa booked their place in the Champions League quarter-finals courtesy of an emphatic 6-1 aggregate victory over Club Brugge in the round of 16.
PSG, meanwhile, overturned a one-goal deficit against Liverpool and triumphed on penalties at Anfield to secure their progress.
Savage sees Emery’s previous experience on the European stage as being key when the two sides meet.
“Emery has won the Europa League four times as a coach and took Arsenal to the final in 2019. He has the knack of coming up with the right formula to win in Europe,” he said.
“I sometimes wonder if Emery was given long enough to rebuild Arsenal.
“He only lasted 78 games over 18 months, and if it’s true that the Gunners lacked identity in the way they played under him, what he has since achieved at Villarreal and Villa underlines his pedigree as one of Europe’s top coaches.”
He added: “ Prince William was at the 3-0 win over Club Brugge in midweek, and the feelgood factor has put a spring in Villa’s step which reminds me of their European Cup triumph in 1982 and run to the quarter-finals against Juventus the following year.
“With the heir to the throne on their side, for Unai Emery and Aston Villa anything’s possible.”