Donnarumma and Kvaratskhelia start for PSG in Champions League quarter final with Italian referee

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 11: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield on March 11, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Italy international Gianluigi Donnarumma and former Napoli player Khvicha Kvaratskhelia start for PSG in the Champions League quarter-final against Aston Villa, with Italian Maurizio Mariani officiating.

The first leg kicks off at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT) at Parc des Princes in Paris.

Donnarumma was today named the best goalkeeper in the world by the CIES Football Observatory, using statistical analysis of saves performed and expected goals over the last 365 days.

He was certainly decisive in taking PSG to the quarter-finals of the Champions League, making big saves in the penalty shoot-out victory over Liverpool.

Donnarumma therefore has the gloves again this evening, with Kvaratskhelia completing the trident attack after his January move from Napoli.

However, former Roma defender Marquinhos is suspended, with Kang-in Lee injured.

Donnarumma faces Aston Villa threat

Aston Villa were a real surprise this season in the Champions League by securing a top eight spot in the opening league phase.

Ross Barkley has a calf issue, while Donyell Malen and Andres Garcia are not on the UEFA list.

Marcus Rashford leads the attack after his January arrival on loan from Manchester United, preferred to Ollie Watkins.

The referee for this match is Italian, Maurizio Mariani, aided by assistants Daniele Bindoni and Alberto Tegoni, fourth official Simone Sozza, plus VAR team Marco Di Bello and Luca Pairetto.

Paris Saint-Germain vs. Aston Villa line-ups

PSG: Donnarumma; Hakimi, Lucas Beraldo, Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; D Doué, Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia

Aston Villa: E Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Pau Torres, Digne; Tielemans, Kamara; Rogers, McGinn, Ramsey; Rashford

Ref: Mariani (ITA)

1

2

35

25

51

14

8

87

17

10

23

44

4

12

2

14

41

7

8

9

27

19

21

3

29

39

80

9

33

24

49

6

22

21

3

25

5

24

11

26

52