Paris Saint-Germain started their Champions League-winning references on Tuesday evening with a blaar screen against Aston Villa.
The only blemish on another great night was their inability to score more than the three they against Unai Emery's side. The French champions showed their courage in the final round by eliminating the favorites of the Liverpool tournament.
Their task against Villa, managed by their cunning former head coach, was very different. Yet the men from Luis Enrique took it with as much verve and strength as they started dismantling the Reds of Arne Slot.
As in that draw, the dominance of PSG was not reflected in the score. On Wednesday evening it was Morgan Rogers and Villa who first struck after a devastating counterattack.
But the goal only served to concentrate the spirits of those in blue. First of all, Doue wishes the things aware of a stunning curly effort from the edge of the area before the interval. After the break, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia completed the comeback with an equal strike that Emi Martinez left behind.
And just when Villa thought they had gone away with a shortage of just one goal, Nuno Mendes added his entry to 'goal of the Night' competition. On an exciting night of action in the French capital, the Tom Collomosse of Mail Sport assesses the players on both sides.
Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3)
Gianluigi Donnarumma 6
Had little to do for the break, but looked shaky when he took away the long free kick from Tielemans and was lucky that it fell safely.
Achraf Hakimi 6.5
A constant threat left in the villa, but his desire to attack meant space for Villa to attack him further.
Lucas Beraldo 6
In front of the suspended Marquinhos, the center-back looked uncomfortable when he had to face the pace of Rashford, which was often one-on-one
Willian Pacho 7
The senior partner at the back for PSG generally had a tidy first half, although he was bypassed by Tielemans' cutbacks for Rogers goal.
Nuno Mendes 7.5
After a brilliant opening of half an hour, he was robbed by McGinn in front of Villa's goal and was stranded when Rogers arrived in the far post to tap home but made up for it by scoring the third.
Joao Neves 6.5
Very tidy in possession and often exchanged positions with vitinha in midfield although rarely looked like those who would unlock the door.
Vitinha 8
A classic tempo setting midfielder, everything that PSG DO goes through Vitinha. Dictated the game early and might have done better with a shot from the edge of the box.
Fabian Ruiz 6.5
The Spaniard is the most physical thing about the PSG -Middenveld trio and Villa had to be wise for his forward runs throughout the middle.
*Desire Doue 8.5*
What a fantastic prospect. The game started to do too much, but soon found his rhythm in a free -attacking role – and scored a sensational goal.
Ousmane Dembele 6
In general, a sloppy version of PSG's Star of the Season. Various simple steps finished and his decision-making was unusually bad that he set up the third for Mendes.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia 8
Gave cash early money by running him, forcing a booking and offering a lot of headaches for the villa defense. Sensational attack.
Subs
Warren Zaire-Emery 6
Bradley Barcola 6
Manager Luis Enrique 7
Aston Villa (4-4-1-1)
Emiliano Martinez 6
Arriving to a fiery reception from the home crowd and although he made important contributions, he was sometimes unusually nervous and could not do much about Doue's goal.
Matty Cash 5
This is perhaps a step higher than the natural level of cash and it sometimes turned out. But the attitude of the Villa right back can never be questioned. Booked and therefore immersed during the break.
Ezri Konsa 8
Made a series of decisive interceptions and has a handy talent for winning free kicks near his own box when Villa is under pressure. A real center of center.
Pau Torres 6
He does not have a defensive instincts of Konsa, but would have been happy that Dembele was so far from his best before the break.
Lucas Digne 6
Initially it did well against Doue, but then a problem remained when the young man drove in, but generally went better than cash.
Morgan Rogers 6.5
Was well linked by Mendes for the most part of the competition, but when he was free, it was to make an excellent move and make villa forward. Need more next week.
Boubacar Kamara 8
I am gone with a risky early challenge on Kvaratskhelia, but after that he was so essential and stepped in to block PSG's passing routes time and time again.
Youri Tielemans 7.5
He could never dictate such a game, but he set up Rogers and usually performed his defensive work as required.
Jacob Ramsey 6
Started well, with the help of his physical strength on both attacking and defensive moments, but seemed to fade after falling awkward in the first half and had a long treatment. Replaced by Asensio.
John McGinn 7.5
Fantastic for the goal of Villa, broken off the ball and Rashford set up, while he is detailed to take care of vitinha. Did it do well.
Marcus Rashford 6
He can disappear to the margins of the game for long spells, but when he is involved, he has the opportunity to be very dangerous. Helped to create Rogers' goal and be delivered Beraldo at his pace.
Subs
Axel Disasi 6
Replacing in cash during the break and was immediately embarrassed by Kvaratskhelia for the second of the home team.
Marco Asensio 6
Villas PSG property was sent for Ramsey to add finesse to the attacking game of the visitors.
Ollie Watkins 6
Ian Maatsen 6
Amadou Onana 6
Manager Unai Emery 6.5
Referee Maurizio Mariani 6