Importance Score: 35 / 100 🔵
An embarrassing error marred the pre-match atmosphere of Aston Villa’s crucial Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday evening. Ahead of this pivotal Champions League clash, an audio mix-up saw the Europa League anthem played instead of the Champions League theme at Villa Park, causing amusement and confusion.
Europa League Anthem Played in Champions League Mix-Up
Unai Emery’s squad entered the contest trailing 3-1 from the first leg, harboring aspirations of progressing to the Champions League semi-finals. Villa hoped fervent home support could propel them to overcome their deficit against Paris Saint-Germain, following a challenging first encounter in France.
A vibrant atmosphere filled Villa Park as a capacity crowd generated considerable noise in anticipation of a high-tempo start in Birmingham. However, the initial tempo was disrupted by an unexpected blunder involving the stadium’s public address system.
As both teams emerged from the tunnel and aligned on the pitch facing the main stand, preparations were underway for the customary Champions League anthem. Yet, the expected music was not what resonated across the stadium.
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In a bizarre twist, the Europa League anthem echoed around Villa Park – a competition Aston Villa has not participated in for nearly fifteen years, with their last appearance dating back to the 2010-11 season.
Players React to Anthem Blunder
Players from both Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain stood in bemusement as the incorrect anthem played. Vitinha, the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, appeared to exchange light-hearted remarks with teammates, while Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans and Ezri Konsa struggled to suppress laughter. The pre-match handshakes commenced without the anticipated Champions League music.
Aston Villa mistakenly played the Europa League anthem instead of the Champions League anthem prior to their second leg match against Paris Saint-Germain.
Aston Villa faced the challenge of overturning a two-goal deficit from the first leg held in Paris the previous week.
Several players, including Vitinha (left), Youri Tielemans (right), and Ezri Konsa, seemed to find humor in the situation.
Avid Aston Villa supporter Prince William attended the crucial Champions League game with his son, George.
Commentator and Fans React
‘Someone has clearly selected the incorrect Champions League anthem,’ remarked Amazon Prime commentator Jon Champion as the Europa League music played. ‘This is certainly not the expected pre-match protocol.’
Champion later quipped, ‘Better late than never,’ as the correct Champions League anthem was eventually broadcast.
Fans inside Villa Park voiced their disapproval, audibly booing the anthem of the secondary European competition.
Tifo Display and Match Progression
Aston Villa supporters unveiled a large tifo prior to kick-off, emblazoned with the words: ‘This is Villa Park,’ accompanied by two lion graphics.
Aston Villa represented one of only two English teams remaining in the Champions League, with potential semi-final aspirations to face Arsenal, following the Gunners’ 3-0 victory against Real Madrid in their first leg encounter.
However, Aston Villa endured a disastrous start as Achraf Hakimi extended Paris Saint-Germain’s aggregate lead to 4-1 early in the game, capitalizing on a mistake by goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Prince William, who had impressed with pre-match analysis on TNT Sports the previous week, watched from the stands, appearing visibly disappointed as the match’s outcome seemed increasingly unfavorable for Aston Villa early on.
Nuno Mendes further compounded Villa’s woes, scoring his second goal of the tie, escalating the score to 5-1 and threatening to turn the night into a rout. However, Youri Tielemans managed to score for Villa before halftime.
Villa Fightback
Aston Villa displayed renewed vigor after the break as captain John McGinn scored shortly after the restart, narrowing the deficit to 2-2 on the night. Ezri Konsa further reduced the margin, bringing Villa within one goal of parity.