UEFA Champions League route to final: Aston Villa on collision course with PSG, Real Madrid may lurk for Arsenal
By Jonny Bray
Updated 12/03/2025 at 15:14 GMT
React to this story
Liverpool are out of the UEFA Champions League after losing to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties, but Aston Villa and Arsenal are in control of their ties against Club Brugge and PSV Eindhoven. With PSG, Barcelona, Inter and Bayern Munich already into the quarter-finals, who will the two remaining English sides have to defeat to make it to the final in Munich on May 31?
'Half the squad needs replacing' - Man City squad profile dissected after UCL exit
Video credit: TNT Sports
The UEFA Champions League last 16 has offered up some mouthwatering matches.
From a Madrid derby to a clash between two of Germany's finest, there has been an abundance of fascinating fixtures for fans to sink their teeth into.
Liverpool bowed out as they were beaten on penalties by Paris Saint-Germain, but Aston Villa and Arsenal are on track for the quarters.
Who could Aston Villa and Arsenal face in the next round and beyond as they look to reach the final in Munich on May 31?
Arsenal could face holders in last eight
The Gunners are in control of their last-16 tie against PSV after winning the away leg 7-1.
They will face the Dutch side again on Wednesday, March 12, and assuming they avoid a catastrophe at The Emirates, then they can expect an incredibly tough challenge in the quarter-finals.
They will take on either Atletico Madrid or Real Madrid at that stage of the competition, depending on who wins their last-16 clash.
If Arsenal defeat PSV and one of the two Spanish sides, they would then face one of Club Brugge, PSG or Aston Villa in the semi-finals.
Arsenal will then have to defeat either Inter, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Lille, Benfica or Barcelona to lift their first-ever UEFA Champions League crown.
Arsenal's path to the final
- Last 16: PSV
- Quarter-finals: Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid
- Semi-finals: Club Brugge, PSG, or Aston Villa
Aston Villa face brutal path if they beat Brugge
Unai Emery's side finished eighth in the league phase to guarantee automatic qualification for the last 16.
They are 3-1 up on aggregate against Club Brugge after an excellent performance against the side who dumped last season's UEFA Europa League winners Atalanta out of the competition in the play-offs.
If Villa come out on top against Club Brugge, they will face French giants PSG in a mouthwatering quarter-final clash.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/03/11/4108085-83299353-2560-1440.jpg)
Emery calls on Villa to learn from experiences and ‘respect’ Club Brugge
Video credit: TNT Sports
The winner of that match would then take on one of Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, PSV or Arsenal in the semi-finals in April.
Awaiting in the final could be Inter, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Lille, Benfica or Barcelona.
Aston Villa's path to the final
- Last 16: Club Brugge
- Quarter-finals: PSG
- Semi-finals: Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid, PSV or Arsenal
UEFA Champions League last 16 draw
The draw is split into two halves of a bracket - silver and blue - which determines each team's route to the final.
Silver:
- Arsenal v PSV Eindhoven (Agg: Arsenal 7-1 PSV Eindhoven)
- Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid (Agg: Atletico Madrid 1-2 Real Madrid)
(winners of the above ties will face off in quarter-finals)
- Liverpool v PSG
- Aston Villa v Club Brugge (Agg: Aston Villa 3-1 Club Brugge)
(winners of the above ties will face off in quarter-finals)
Blue:
- Barcelona v Benfica
- Lille v Borussia Dortmund (Agg: Lille 1-1 Borussia Dortmund)
(winners of the above ties will face off in quarter-finals)
- Bayer Leverkusen v Bayern Munich
- Inter Milan v Feyenoord
The winners (in bold) of the above ties will face off in quarter-finals
The second legs take place on March 11-12.
---
Stream the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Conference League and much more live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement