Aston Villa and PSG followers ‘launch bottles and chairs’ throughout road combat forward of conflict
Aston Villa fans have descended on Paris ahead of one of the biggest games of their season – but there were some ugly scenes 24 hours before kick off
Aston Villa and PSG fans have clashed in the streets of Paris ahead of their crunch Champions League tie in some ugly scenes.
Unai Emery’s side have travelled across the English Channel to France for the biggest game of their season against the Parisian giants. While PSG, who are flying high at the summit of Ligue 1, are looking for the one title that has always eluded them.
However, before a ball was even kicked, images of the two sets of fans clashing did the rounds on social media. Videos showed fans launching chairs, tables and glass bottles outside a Parisian bar.
It’s unclear what sparked the brawl, with the video capturing the end of the chaos. Around 3,000 Villa fans were expected to make the journey – despite the club only being allocated 2,000 tickets for the clash.
According to the Daily Mail, the clash had been ranked three on a scale of five by the National Division in the Fight Against Hooliganism, which means that there is ‘the risk of trouble’.
However, Villa had been expecting a fiery reception from the PSG fans, after keeper Emiliano Martinez’s continued taunts since his role in the 2022 World Cup final.
Martinez is public enemy No.1 in France, and he poured fuel on the fire by travelling to Paris wearing a cap displaying the four titles he has won at international level.
“I don’t care about it – we are here to play the game and I don’t mind whatever happens with Emi as long as it stays respectful in football terms,’ said Youri Tielemans.
“That is probably his style. He is ready for the game and hasn’t spoken differently to us from how he does before any other game. He is focused and looking forward to it.”
The French interior ministry has been battling against an escalation in football fan related violence over the course of this campaign.
In a statement at the end of March, the ministry said: “Since the start of the 2024/2025 season, we have witnessed a veritable explosion of violence during professional football matches.
“No fewer than 64 matches have been marked by serious incidents. Since the start of the season, 627 arrests have been made on the sidelines of professional football matches, an increase of 41% compared to last season, when there were a total of 718.
“The Ministry of the Interior is awaiting a return to calm and an end to violence by the supporters’ clubs in question. Stadium bans and dissolutions will no longer be necessary once public order is respected and violence has ceased.
“Professional football clubs, football authorities, and supporters’ clubs have a role to play in calming the situation alongside the public authorities.”
