Konsa proud despite UCL exit: Villa 'can compete at the highest level'

Ezri Konsa said Aston Villa have proved they can compete with Europe's giants despite falling just short against Paris Saint-Germain after a stirring fightback in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Konsa scored Villa's third goal in a 3-2 second leg victory on Tuesday, but the English side bowed out 5-4 on aggregate.

PSG appeared to be cruising into the last four as they led 2-0 on the night through Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes.

Youri Tielemans pulled a goal back before half-time and Villa went on to dominate the second half.

John McGinn and Konsa scored inside two minutes just before the hour mark.

Villa, though, were frustrated by a series of fine saves by Gianluigi Donnarumma.

"At half-time, you know, we had nothing to lose," Konsa told Amazon Prime.

"We wanted to go out there and just prove a point. The boys dug deep, we pressed well, and I think you could see that."

Villa had not played in European football's elite competition since 1983 prior to this season.

Unai Emery's men are in contention to qualify for the Champions League once more via a top-five finish in the Premier League.

And Konsa urged his side to make sure they get another shot at Europe's best.

"I think we showed tonight that we can compete at the highest level," he added. "We want to do it again next season."