PSG coach Luis Enrique has revealed that they are not the favourites to win their Champions League quarter-final clash against Aston Villa on Wednesday.
The Parisians will welcome Unai Emery’s men to the Parc des Princes in the first leg of their last eight tie.
The hosts have impressed under Luis Enrique this season, dumping Liverpool out of the playoff round and maintaining an unbeaten run in the Ligue 1.
However, Enrique does not believe there are favourites in the clash.
He said: “Against Liverpool (in the last 16) bookmakers said we had no chance. In soccer, favourites do not exist.
“There are eight teams that are in the quarterfinals because they deserve it. We will need to do what we have to do and that we deserve to win on the field.”
The Spanish manager was full of praise for Unai Emery, who has turned Aston Villa’s fortunes around.
Enrique said: “He is a great coach. Aston Villa are a great team. They progressed in the last two years thanks to Unai Emery.
“Aston Villa are a team that look like us, with many versatile players. It’s difficult to know who is going to play, especially after their winter transfer window where they have strengthened in a good way. It will be an open and difficult tie for both teams.”
PSG won the French Ligue 1 title last week, Enrique is confident the players will not lose focus against Aston Villa.
He said: “I think we will keep seeing a great version of PSG, that we will keep playing the same way, with the same intensity or even more.”
Similarly, Aston Villa coach, Unai Emery is looking forward to the clash.
He said: “When I came to Aston Villa it was a challenge. I wanted to win titles, to be in Europe. To be in the Champions League is unbelievable, but to do it consistently is my next challenge.
“To play in Paris, a quarter-final, is something special and spectacular for all of us involved in this club. But we want to be consistent at this level. We are very confident to have chances and to enjoy ourselves.
“What I did here is in my backpack. It’s special for me to be back in Paris, especially because of the circumstances … I’m trying to fulfil my responsibility to the club I’m at, to get the best out of the team, out of the players.”
