Paris travel diary

Aston Villa touched down in Paris on Tuesday ahead of the club’s Champions League quarter-final first leg clash with PSG.

Being the first time Villa have competed in the last eight of this competition since 1983, the trip marked a significant occasion for players, staff, supporters, partners and associates alike, as excitement and anticipation for the game built.

From visiting famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, to soaking up the pre-match atmosphere 24 hours ahead of kick-off, Paris was a hotbed of claret and blue activity as we geared towards a mammoth encounter at the Parc des Princes.

Here are all the pre-match sights and sounds from our trip to the French capital…

To the tower

The first stop for many fans after touching down on French soil was arguably Paris' most famous, iconic landmark of them all, the Eiffel Tower. 

As was to be expected, the tower proved a huge tourist attraction, while street dancers and performers adorned the pavements. Everywhere you turned, there was something to see. 

A vast structure underpinning the city of Paris, with interesting quirks nearby such as the Olympic Rings and Torch point and wonderful views of the River Seine from Pont D'iéna. 

Up to the Place du Trocadéro, located in between Musée de l'Homme and Théâtre National de Chaillot, you would find an even more impressive look at the breathtaking landmark from a distance, as the sun shone on the French capital for Villa's travelling supporters. 

Villans on tour at the Arc de Triomphe

Another of the city's famous structures, the Arc de Triomphe, was arguably next on the list for all in claret and blue. 

Located bang in the centre of a hectic circular road, akin to the British roundabout, inside the Rue de Presbourg, the Arc stands defiantly over the Champs-Élysées, again attracting a whole host of visitors. 

Here, we bumped into three Villa supporters who had made the trip over to Paris on Monday, driving nine hours from Droitwich Spa through the Channel Tunnel into France. 

Darren Stanford and his two sons Oliver and James have been to every Champions League away match so far this season apart from Monaco in January, driving to each game, other than RB Leipzig and BSC Young Boys, where they flew. 

Regularly making a three-day trip of their European away adventures, the family had got their bearings upon arrival the day prior, before heading for the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame Cathedral on Tuesday. 

"This has been the best place so far, I’d say," admitted 20-year-old Oliver. "We're really looking forward to the game, and I think we've got a good shot."

Dad Darren, who himself has been visiting Villa Park for over 50 years, was planning on taking his boys to the Irish bars in the evening to mingle with the fellow Villa supporters. 

Speaking on the experience of watching his side play in the Champions League, and being able to tour Europe at the same time, Oliver added: "It’s been brilliant. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

The Louvre

The home of all things art in Paris, the Musée du Louvre was the scene of the next stop. 

A unique, pyramid-shaped building, the Louvre sat proudly within the Place du Carrousel, in the first of Paris' 20 arrondissements. 

Turn the other way, and you will see the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, another stunning structure offering views across the city, including that of the ever-impressive Eiffel Tower in the distance. 

With the sun beginning to set on the French capital, it was time to head to the stadium to take in some pre-matchday build-up...

The Parc des Princes

PSG's incredible home played host to Villa's pre-match press conference ahead of their first Champions League quarter-final clash in some 42 years. 

First, Youri Tielemans sat before the international media, before the turn came for Unai Emery to speak for the final time before his side take to the field. 

Taking place in an auditorium, the presser hosted over a hundred media representatives from England, France and wider Europe. 

One of whom, Giovanni Castaldi of French newspaper L'Équipe, expects PSG to face a difficult challenge against Unai Emery's men, and is looking forward to what he believes will be a "good, high-level game". 

"It will be a special night for Unai Emery, and you have Marco Asensio at Villa, on loan from PSG," he said. 

"Also, for the style of play of Villa. In France, a lot of people say it will be more difficult than the game against Liverpool. Aston Villa is a tough team, athletic players. It wil be a good, high-level game in the Champions League. 

"In France, the Premier League is really popular. Many people in France respect this team a lot."

Outside the PSG megastore opposite the Parc des Princes, where half-and-half scarves were on sale, there were plenty of home supporters looking forward to what promises to be a mouth-watering encounter. 

Lyan, who had travelled all the way from Switzerland, was excited ahead of his maiden PSG match on Wednesday, and said: "I think it'll be a tough match, but I think PSG will win. It's my first time here. I've heard it's a great atmosphere, but I am from Switzerland, and this is my first-ever PSG game. I'm very excited. I hope it will be a great atmosphere. I've been waiting five or 10 years to come here."

Meanwhile, Hadiff, a student in the French capital clad in his club's colours, believes Villa should be wary of PSG's front three, and is looking forward to an electric atmosphere in the Parc des Princes. 

"The fans are some of the best in the world, and the atmosphere will be presented," he said.  

"I think PSG's form this season has improved a lot. We've seen that against Man City and Liverpool. 

"When going to Anfield, people say the atmosphere is scary for the away fans, but I think PSG did well in that game against Liverpool, so they have a really good chance."

Villans sampling the nightlife

As the night hour set in Paris, Villa fans were left to soak up the pre-match atmosphere at some of the local bars in the French capital. 

In one particular establishment, Keith Woodroffe (above, second from right) and 'Kev Liddy' (third right), based just a stone's throw away from Villa Park in Erdington, had arrived in France a matter of hours prior. 

"We drove over this morning, leaving at around 8.30am," they said. 

"There were eight of us on our minibus, and we got here around 7pm. We've been to Switzerland, we've been to Bruges twice, we've done all the European away days this season, and all the ones last year in the Conference League as well. 

"That probably sums it up, what it's been like watching Villa across Europe. We've been everywhere with the team, and that's how good it's been. We don't really have to say much more than that.

"We've got a boat trip down the river and on to the Eiffel Tower, then heading to the game, then we drive back on Thursday."

On his predicition for the game, 'Kev Liddy' added: "I'll say 1-1 here, then we'll do them at home, but it's been brilliant going around all these different stadiums. 

"We've been fans 50 years or so, we've all known each other at least 20 years, and one of our lads who's here has not missed an Aston Villa game since 1977."

Paris has so far proved a thoroughfare of Aston Villa activity, with much more set to come as a huge clash awaits at the Parc des Princes. See you there, Villans. 

Up the EuroVilla! 💜