00:00Now, all the top-flight English sides, Aston Villa, Arsenal and Liverpool, secured crucial
00:07victories in the first legs of their Champions League last-16 ties, putting themselves in
00:13strong positions to reach the quarter-finals. With each team delivering impressive performances,
00:18the results have only strengthened their credentials as serious contenders in the competition.
00:25We're taking a closer look at how they got the job done at the key moments that define
00:28their wins, and what these results could mean ahead of the second legs. While they are having
00:34the advantage, nothing is guaranteed in European football, and the return fixtures will be
00:39a true test of their ability to see things through. Can they maintain their momentum
00:44and finish the job, or is there still room for twists and drama in the competition?
00:49Starting with Aston Villa, who took a major step towards the Champions League quarter-finals,
00:54with a dramatic 3-1 victory away at Club Bruges. Now, despite not being at their best,
01:00Unai Emery's men found a way to win, capitalising on key moments to put themselves in a commanding
01:06position ahead of the second leg at Villa Park.
01:09We can face every team in Europe. Our experience last year through Conference League was the
01:17same as today. I am happy, but I can't get in balance because I know there's still 90 minutes to play.
01:24We have to respect always the opponent, always the competition, always the moment.
01:30Because we were today in the middle of 75, and if we were betting, maybe we were betting,
01:35maybe we were losing.
01:37On to Arsenal, and not many saw them winning 7-1 at PSV Eindhoven in their first leg.
01:43Now, this brings big scope for the second leg, where back at Emirates they can maybe play on a just side
01:49and give some rest, with a six-goal cushion being fairly incredible.
01:54Obviously, it broke multiple Champions League records, including the goals away from home in the last 16.
02:01Arteta was so confident in his side, he thanked his side, saying it brought joy and confidence,
02:08real belief. Now, obviously, they're on the same side of the draw as the winner of Real and Atletico Madrid.
02:15So, this joy may not last too long, but not many saw this victory coming.
02:22Arteta was delighted that his Arsenal side got over the line.
02:26I really enjoyed the match. Thank you to the players for the performance that they put in.
02:31It was a big night for us against a really good side.
02:35The way they went through in the last round against Juventus was really impressive.
02:40So, the manner that we've done it, the way we play, the goals that we score,
02:44thank you because it was a special night.
02:48Finally, Liverpool, and it was a very, very tight contested game away at PSG.
02:54Arguably, one of the most informed sides in Europe at the moment.
02:57Obviously, Liverpool and Real Madrid in there as well was probably the top two.
03:02Liverpool were really tightly locked up at the back in defence.
03:06So, all night, this is a fresh, exciting PSG side full of young French talent,
03:12young players who really make an impact.
03:15It all came down really to Javier Leite's moment of glory with his 1-0 winner in the end,
03:21proved to be a winner, and all because of Alisson Becker in goal.
03:25He's produced some incredible Champions League and Premier League performances as well over his time
03:32under Jurgen Klopp and now under Arnie Schlott as well.
03:35He's been unbelievable, obviously out injured for a period of this season as well.
03:40But all credit goes to Alisson.
03:43It's been touted as one of the best ever goalkeeping displays over 90 minutes.
03:48That was obviously said on the likes of CBS Sport by Peter Schmeichel himself,
03:53one of the greatest goalkeepers we've ever seen.
03:56So, a huge night for Arnie Schlott's side, who admitted they were lucky against PSG.
04:02PSG put up a great fight, and it's all to do still in the second leg at Anfield.
04:06But a 1-0 cushion is so important, and it all goes down to, as I say,
04:11the Brazilian in goal, who was absolutely magnificent on the night.
04:15It's a very good result for us, but we also felt the quality of Paris Saint-Germain.
04:22I knew it before, they've won ten times in a row, scored goal after goal after goal,
04:26incredible pace with the wingers.
04:29Every underlying stat shows you that they are the best team in the Champions League.
04:35We were the lead table, won it, but they were, in the underlying stats, the best team.
04:40So I wasn't surprised that they were so good.
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