Aston Villa's hopes of Champions League qualification are under threat after a 3-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of their quarter-final.
Villa, at this level of European football for the first time since 1983, comfortably reached the quarter-finals but faced their toughest match to date – the newly crowned French champions.
They were looking for another triumphant night when Morgan Rogers opened the scoring in the 35th minute, but superb goals from Desiree Douet, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Nuno Mendes turned the game in favour of the French champions, who look set to finally win the tournament.
Neves' stoppage-time goal felt particularly significant as Villa held firm against Liverpool's onslaught and looked set to go home just one goal behind after France's arch-rivals Emiliano Martinez made a number of key saves.
However, they face a tough task to turn things around at Villa Park next Tuesday.
Martinez, hated in France for his antics for Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final, has always been in the spotlight, notably for his pre-match stunt of wearing a cap with a French cockerel and an emblem displaying the four trophies his country has won in recent years.
He further infuriated PSG fans with a spectacular save in the eighth minute to deny Ousmane Dembele's weak shot while Vitinha curled the ball just over the bar.
Having survived the initial onslaught, Villa silenced the Parc des Princes stadium by taking the lead in the 39th minute.
It was a simple but brilliant goal, scored on the counter-attack: John McGinn won the ball on the halfway line, found Marcus Rashford, who rounded Youri Tielemans and the Belgian's precise pass across the face of goal was converted by Rodgers at the far post.
No one was more delighted than Prince William, who enthusiastically shared his emotions with Prince George, but the joy was short-lived as PSG quickly responded.
Martinez made a brilliant save to deny Douai a shot at the near post and knock the ball away before it could cross the line.
However, Douet was not going to give up and scored a superb goal from a corner. He collected the ball at the far post, cut inside and curled a wonderful ball that hit the crossbar without Martinez even diving.
The Argentine was beaten again four minutes after the break when Kvaratskhelia scored a beautiful goal to put the hosts ahead. The Georgian received a pass from Ruiz Fabián, rounded substitute Axel Disasi, broke into the penalty area and fired an unstoppable shot into the near post.
Kvaratskhelia had a great evening and almost created a third goal with a stunning display of skill and a counter-attack that ended with Martinez managing to parry Achraf Hakimi's low shot.
Villa's chances were significantly reduced in the second minute of added time when Mendes headed home from Dembele's cross.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
