Luis Enrique, the head coach of Paris Saint-Germain, spoke at a press conference before his team's match against Aston Villa in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, which will take place tomorrow evening, Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

Enrique said: "I see the match as 50-50; against Liverpool, everyone thought they had a greater chance, but in my opinion, there is no favorite team. There are 8 teams that deserve to be at this stage, and all of them are capable of qualifying for the semi-finals."

He continued: "Unai Emery is one of the great coaches in Europe, and Aston Villa has become a strong team under his leadership. I am happy to meet him again, and our relationship has been built through direct competitions throughout our coaching careers."

He added: "Aston Villa has many players capable of playing in multiple positions, which makes it difficult to predict their style of play. They have a flexible style, whether it is deep defending or high pressing."

Enrique addressed the absence of Marquinhos, stating that it will not affect the team's performance: "His absence does not change anything; Marquinhos cannot play, but he will be with us in spirit. Regardless of who is absent, the team is ready for the challenge."

Regarding Marco Asensio's participation with Aston Villa, Enrique said: "I am happy that Asensio is getting the opportunity to play. He is a high-level player and has been very important for me in the national team and at Paris Saint-Germain. He is a very technical player, and I wish him success."

Enrique confirmed that the team is in excellent physical condition, saying: "Since January, we have continued to deliver outstanding performances. We see more energy in our training, and I am confident that we will continue to deliver our best in the upcoming matches."

In response to a question about the impact of the young team in the Champions League, Enrique said: "The young team does not mean we are less strong; the mentality and mindset are what matter. We have seen this team overcome tough challenges in the past; we are ready for the upcoming challenges."

Regarding Aston Villa's counter-attacking style, Enrique added: "Aston Villa can handle spaces well and has players capable of attacking quickly, so we will need a high defensive level to stop them."

Enrique concluded his statements by referring to his approaching 100th match with Paris Saint-Germain, saying: "It is just a number, but I am proud of it. I hope to achieve more remarkable figures, but the most important thing is the continuous work and development."