Violent clashes erupted between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain supporters in Paris on Tuesday ahead of their Champions League fixture tonight.
Shocking footage shared on social media captured the chaotic scenes outside a bar in the French capital.
The video, posted by Footy Away Days on X, shows supporters using stools as weapons and launching them in all directions.
Punches were also thrown during the violent confrontation on the streets of Paris.
Violent clashes erupted between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain supporters in Paris on Tuesday ahead of their Champions League fixture tonight
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It remains unclear what sparked the mayhem in the first place, with the disturbing scenes occurring just 24 hours before Villa's crucial European match.
The security concerns have been heightened with an estimated 3,000 Aston Villa fans travelling to Paris for the match.
Villa were allocated just 2,000 tickets for the fixture at Parc des Princes.
This means approximately 1,000 supporters will be ticketless and plan to watch the game in bars throughout the city.
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PSG and Aston Villa fans clashing in Paris ahead of tomorrows game. 😨 pic.twitter.com/pkw56M32JG
— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) April 8, 2025
The significant number of fans without access to the stadium has contributed to security worries ahead of the high-profile Champions League clash.
French authorities have been monitoring the situation closely given the large influx of travelling supporters.
Despite no history of animosity between the two sets of fans, the fixture has been classified as high-risk by French authorities.
The National Division in the Fight Against Hooliganism has ranked the game three on a scale of five, with five being the highest risk level.
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This classification indicates "the risk of trouble" according to the French security assessment.
Villa have been expecting a hostile reception from the Parc des Princes crowd for Wednesday's match.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is particularly unpopular with French fans following his antics after Argentina's victory over France in the 2022 World Cup Final.
Martinez appeared to inflame tensions by travelling to Paris wearing a cap displaying his four international titles.
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Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans has backed his teammate to handle any abuse, saying: "I don't care about it we are here to play the game and I don't mind whatever happens with Emi as long as it stays respectful in football terms."
Tielemans added: "That is probably his style. He is ready for the game and hasn't spoken differently to us from how he does before any other game."
The match represents Villa's biggest European fixture in decades, with the club not having reached this stage of Europe's elite competition since the 1982-83 campaign.
Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez can expect a hostile reception in tonight's Champions League clash with PSG
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Unai Emery's side earned their place in this prestigious stage of the Champions League with an impressive performance in the previous round.
Villa secured an emphatic 6-1 aggregate victory over Club Brugge in the last 16 to set up this high-profile clash with the French champions.
The Premier League club will be hoping the off-field incidents don't overshadow their return to European football's biggest stage.
