Mumbai, April 16: Call it being inexperienced in the Champions League. There was confusion and even some embarrassment before kickoff in the second leg of the quarterfinal between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday when the anthem for the second-tier Europa League competition appeared to be played by mistake as players from both teams lined up. Villa defender Ezri Konsa was seen putting his hand to his face and shaking his head after talking to teammate Youri Tielemans while the incorrect music was blaring around the stadium. Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Barcelona (Agg 3-5) UEFA Champions League 2024-25: Serhou Guirassy's Hat-Trick in Vain As Blaugrana Enter Semifinal Despite Heavy Defeat Away From Home (Watch Goal Video Highlights).

A minute or so later, the more famous Champions League anthem was finally played at Villa Park — by which time the players were almost ready for the kickoff. In the crowd was Prince William, the heir to the throne and a die-hard Villa fan.

Europa League Anthem Played During Aston Villa vs PSG UCL 2024-25 Match

This is Villa's first season in the Champions League. The team previously played in Europe's top competition in the 1982-83, as reigning champion when it was called the European Cup. UCL 2024–25: Luis Enrique Says PSG Showed ‘Personality and Character’ in 3–1 Comeback Win Over Aston Villa in UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final First Leg.

The pre-match error was followed by mistakes on the field as the hosts fell 2-0 behind to PSG by the 27th minute thanks to goals by full backs Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes. Aston Villa ended up making a comeback to win 3-2, but PSG still advanced 5-4 on aggregate to reach the semifinals.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)