Luis Enrique confident Paris Saint-Germain won't wilt in Villa Park heat

The Spaniard reckons his players will be inspired, rather than intimidated by what promises to be a red-hot atmosphere as a capacity home crowd try to drive Unai Emery’s team to an incredible quarter-final comeback.

PSG are big favourites to progress after winning last week’s first leg 3-1 in France.

Enrique knows home players and supporters will be fired up for what is Villa’s biggest match since they faced Juventus in the European Cup quarter-finals 42 years ago.

But speaking from the stadium on Monday evening, the PSG boss said: “For us it is always a pleasure to play and compete in a stadium like this, with so much history. 

“We love playing football. Our teams and supporters are accustomed to this. There is no problem with the atmosphere. It is a motivation, more than anything.”

While positive about his team’s chances, Enrique is taking nothing for granted and says his players are ready to “suffer” to secure their place in the semi-finals.

Enrique claims his players are ready for every scenario including penalties, with the boss warning there can be no room for complacency.

PSG, who trained at Villa Park on Monday evening, received huge plaudits for their first leg performance at the Parc des Princes. 

But Enrique says they must now finish the job declaring: “Over the season, situations change around us. At the start there was a lot of pessimism. 

“Now there is almost an excess of enthusiasm. The key is maturity. We can see it in our team, despite its relative youth. 

“The tie is not over. It is going to be difficult. We are prepared to suffer if necessary to win this match.”

PSG have been knocked out of the Champions League on three previous occasions after taking a two-goal first leg advantage.

Asked how confident he was, holding a 3-1 lead, Enrique replied: “It’s the same kind of thing, when people talk about favourites. I always say the road of the Champions League is full of favourites who have been knocked out. 

“We know we were better in the first match and deserved to win. But there is a second story now. 

“Our job is not to speculate. If Aston Villa win and are better they can overcome us. We need to show we are a team which deserves to be in the semi-final.”