Summary

  • Champions League last-16 build-up as Liverpool host PSG (Agg 1-0, 20:00 GMT)

  • Slot - Liverpool need best display of season to beat PSG

  • Also: Barcelona v Benfica (Agg. 1-0, 17:45), Bayer Leverkusen v Bayern Munich (Agg. 0-3, 20:00), Inter Milan v Feyenoord (Agg. 2-0, 20:00)

  • Emery and Arteta speaking before Wednesday's action

  • Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

  1. Postpublished at 15:59 GMT 11 March 2025

    Thank you for joining us as we brought you Champions League news and build-up before tonight's matches.

    If you're just joining us or would like a catch-up, click on the links in the summary tab.

    Barcelona host Benfica from 17:45 GMT, followed by the later matches, including Liverpool v PSG - click here for the live text updates.

    See you later!

  2. Liverpool and Villa on collision coursepublished at 15:57 GMT 11 March 2025

    Before we close off from this whirlwind afternoon, let's take a look at the Champions League brackets and those tasty looking potential quarter-final ties...

    Premier League leaders Liverpool took a slim one-goal advantage away from their last-16 first leg against French champions PSG and the second instalment promises to be equally intriguing this evening.

    If Liverpool overcome PSG, then they look likely to face Aston Villa in the quarter-finals in April, with the 1982 European Cup winners in the driving seat against Club Brugge.

    Arsenal, on the other hand, who have pretty much guaranteed their spot in the quarter-final after their 7-1 first leg win against PSV Eindhoven, will play the winner of Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.

    A graphic showing the brackets for the 2024-25 Champions League last 16 draw and beyond
  3. 'If we win tomorrow we will have confidence for the next games'published at 15:54 GMT 11 March 2025

    Arsenal v PSV (Wed, 20:00 GMT)

    Arsenal

    William SalibaImage source, Getty Images

    Arsenal defender William Saliba on his ability to play centre-forward and offering his services to Mikel Arteta: “I was joking. I used to play as a striker when I was younger but it is not the same as doing it in this big club. If the coach needs me there then I will be there, but I don’t think so and I’ll stay at the back.”

    On being conditioned for games to have jeopardy and tomorrow’s doesn’t really: “We don’t have to think about the last game as tomorrow we have to win. Even if it was 7-1, we want to win every game and it’s at home, so if we win tomorrow we will have confidence for the next games.”

  4. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:53 GMT 11 March 2025

    Arteta claiming that he'd define failure differently to anyone else is worrying. Also, his response to how he'd describe failure as 'that's for me' - does that mean he thinks failure is for him? That he welcomes or seeks it?!

    Dean

  5. 'I want to continue at Arsenal'published at 15:51 GMT 11 March 2025

    Arsenal v PSV (Wed, 20:00 GMT)

    Arsenal

    More from Arsenal's William Saliba, on Champions League importance: “Everyone wants to win the Champions League because it is a competition you watch when you are young. We will give everything and anything can happen.”

    On not yet winning a major trophy: “I think we are close, very close. We will keep going, we don’t stop working. When you are at a club like this you want to win trophies. It’s sad but we have to keep going. I am really sure that we will arrive there.”

    On a contract extension: “I am here and really happy here. I have another two years. I want to continue here.”

  6. I can do better - Salibapublished at 15:49 GMT 11 March 2025

    Arsenal v PSV (Wed, 20:00 GMT)

    Arsenal

    Arsenal's SalibaImage source, Getty Images

    Arsenal defender William Saliba was next up, here's what he had to say:

    On if he is going to play: “I don’t know if I’m playing tomorrow, I will maybe know tonight or tomorrow morning. I would really like to play because it’s a Champions League game at home and we want to win because it will give us a lot of confidence.”

    On winning all of his aerial duels in the last two games and being described as ‘colossus’ on social media: “I like being colossus and it is a good stat. It means I am playing well. But it is not enough and I can do better, I think.”

  7. 'Tomorrow can put us in exciting position'published at 15:47 GMT 11 March 2025

    Arsenal v PSV (Wed, 20:00 GMT)

    Arsenal

    On the importance of the Champions League now that the title race is all-but over, Mikel Arteta said: "It's a competition that we have a lot of enthusiasm for and we have been very consistent in. Tomorrow can put us in exciting position.

    "This is the demands that we put into every competition. It is the reality of where we are and we want to deliver. We are conscious that the demands of this club are to win competitions."

    Mikel ArtetaImage source, Getty Images
  8. 'We're going to carry on fighting'published at 15:45 GMT 11 March 2025

    Arsenal v PSV (Wed, 20:00 GMT)

    Arsenal

    On the title race appearing to be over, Mikel Arteta said: "We're going to carry on fighting to try and win every game. That is all we can do."

    On whether finishing second again would be a disappointment: "I don't know if somebody would say that with the injuries that we have had and the decisions we've had to make."

    mikel ArtetaImage source, Getty Images
  9. 'The way I describe failure would be different to yours'published at 15:43 GMT 11 March 2025

    Arsenal v PSV (Wed, 20:00 GMT)

    Arsenal

    On the season being potentially trophyless again and whether that would be a 'failure', Mikel Arteta said: "We are not there yet. The way I describe failure would be different to yours or anyone else.

    In response to how he would describe failure: "That's for me."

    Mikel ArtetaImage source, Getty Images
  10. Gunners team newspublished at 15:41 GMT 11 March 2025

    Arsenal v PSV (Wed, 20:00 GMT)

    Arsenal

    Mikel Arteta started his press conference by giving a fitness update ahead of Wednesday's Champions League last-16 second-leg against PSV.

    "Everybody finished the game against Manchester United, so I expect the same players to be available.

    "I expect Gabby [Martinelli] to be available."

    On Ben White being fit enough to start: "I think we have to manage him very well as he’s been having issues and we don't want no more setbacks. But I think he is a good position now to start."

  11. Postpublished at 15:40 GMT 11 March 2025

    And time to quickly shoot off down south for the other tie involving a British team tomorrow evening.

    Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and defender William Saliba sat down for their pre-match news conference earlier today.

    Here's what they had to say, starting with some team news from the Gunners boss.

  12. 'This is the best Villa squad in years'published at 15:38 GMT 11 March 2025

    Aston Villa v Club Brugge (Wed, 20:00 GMT)

    Aston Villa

    Matty Cash hailed the current Aston Villa squad as the best in recent years.

    Cash said: "This is the best squad - with all due respect to the squads we've had before - we've had in the years I've been here. If you look at every single position, we are strong."

    Villa currently hold a 3-1 lead against Club Brugge heading into the second leg and will be looking to secure qualification to the quarter-finals where they could face either PSG or Liverpool.

  13. Cash looking forward to 'amazing atmosphere' at Villa Parkpublished at 15:36 GMT 11 March 2025

    Aston Villa v Club Brugge (Wed, 20:00 GMT)

    Aston Villa

    Matty Cash spoke about the incredible atmosphere awaiting his team at Villa Park tomorrow as they look to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

    Cash, speaking in the pre-match news conference, said: "It's amazing, the atmosphere is always really good and on a Champions League occasion, it's double as good."

    "Our mindset is to win the game and qualify. Tomorrow for us, it's a 0-0 game and starting again. We want to try and win the game tomorrow."

    Matty Cash in action for Aston Villa.Image source, Getty Images
  14. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:35 GMT 11 March 2025

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    The intensity from Liverpool will be different this time. They know what to do. And it will be the extra intensity in midfield that will make the difference!

    Andy C, Swansea

  15. Emery confirms return of trio from injurypublished at 15:33 GMT 11 March 2025

    Aston Villa v Club Brugge (Wed, 20:00 GMT)

    Aston Villa

    Amadou Onana of Aston Villa during the Premier League match against Arsenal.Image source, Getty Images

    Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has confirmed the return of Amadou Onana to his squad ahead of their Champions League last-16 second leg clash against Club Brugge at Villa Park.

    Villa take a 3-1 lead from the first leg to Wednesday's contest and will be boosted by the return of the Belgian midfielder.

    Emery also said that Marco Asensio and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who had missed their 1-0 defeat of Brentford at the weekend, have also returned to fitness.

    "Asensio and Martinez are in the squad. Onana is coming back in the squad. Ross Barkley is not," Emery said, speaking to the media on the eve of the second leg.

    Onana had made his comeback from a hamstring injury at the start of February, but has been missing since aggravating the issue.

  16. 'We are under own expectations in the Premier League'published at 15:31 GMT 11 March 2025

    Aston Villa v Club Brugge (Wed, 20:00 GMT)

    Aston Villa

    Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa shows dejection in the Premier LeagueImage source, Getty Images

    Aston Villa boss Unai Emery on his side's season so far: "We want to improve and get better in each process. We have to see it on the field. We need to show it. We are doing that at the moment more or less.

    "We are getting better but we are under our own expectations in the Premier League. We have to try to get the balance n the next weeks and months in the league.

    "But everything we are doing in the Champions League and the FA Cup is fantastic. To keep it going is the challenge. I don't want to stop. I want to get something more.

    "But we know how demanding it can be to achieve our collective an individual objectives in the coming weeks."

  17. 'Versatile Rogers very important for Villa'published at 15:29 GMT 11 March 2025

    Aston Villa v Club Brugge (Wed, 20:00 GMT)

    Aston Villa

    Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa FC during the UEFA Champions League match against Club BruggeImage source, Getty Images

    Aston Villa boss Unai Emery on Morgan Rogers: "Morgan's versatility is very important for us. Even against Brentford, he played as the striker, number 10 and on the right and left sides and he has performed very well.

    "He is a player who understands everything that we are doing tactically. The priority for him now is to try and improve. I am always pushing him to get the best out of him. He is also more or less keeping the level we want from him physically."

  18. 'We're ready for extra time and penalties if needed'published at 15:27 GMT 11 March 2025

    Aston Villa v Club Brugge (Wed, 20:00 GMT)

    Aston Villa

    Unai Emery, Manager of Aston Villa, during a press conference.Image source, Getty Images

    Aston Villa posted a 3-1 win against Club Brugge in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie but manager Unai Emery warned his players that 'anything can happen in football.'

    "Nothing changes [because of the two-goal lead]," the Villa boss said.

    "It's football. Anything can happen. A match can change so quick.

    "[In the first leg] we won in two quick actions towards the end. We are ready in case we need extra time and we are ready if we need a penalty shootout."

  19. Postpublished at 15:26 GMT 11 March 2025

    Speaking of Aston Villa..

    Both manager Unai Emery and defender Matty Cash have been speaking to the media today before their second leg tie against Club Brugge.

    Let's see what they both had to say...

  20. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 15:24 GMT 11 March 2025

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Quick to rule out Aston Villa, aren't we BBC?

    David

    Simply working off the premise of the other bracket, David. We would never!