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As Aston Villa prepare to host Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal, the focus is not only on tactics and form — but also on the match officials who will oversee one of the most high-stakes fixtures of the tournament.

UEFA has appointed an experienced Spanish crew to officiate the return leg at Villa Park on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Here’s a breakdown of the full officiating team for the match.

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Referee: José María Sánchez Martínez (Spain)

Sánchez Martínez, a seasoned La Liga official, will take charge of the quarterfinal clash. While he has officiated multiple European fixtures across UEFA competitions, this will be his first Champions League appearance involving either Aston Villa or PSG. Known for his composed demeanor and control in high-pressure situations, he brings valuable experience to the occasion.

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Assistant Referees

Raúl Cabañero Martínez
Iñigo Prieto López de Ceraín

Both assistants are regular collaborators with Sánchez Martínez in La Liga and UEFA matches. Their consistency and familiarity with the lead referee ensure a smooth flow of officiating, especially in dynamic, fast-paced encounters like this one.

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Fourth Official

Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz

Muñiz Ruiz will handle technical area duties and support the main officials with administrative and substitution oversight.

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Video Assistant Referee (VAR)

Carlos del Cerro Grande

A highly respected VAR official within UEFA, Del Cerro Grande brings elite-level experience and will oversee the video review process from UEFA’s VAR hub.

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Assistant VAR (AVAR)

César Soto Grado

Supporting VAR operations will be Soto Grado, also from Spain, rounding out the all-Spanish officiating crew.

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First Leg Recap

In the first leg at Parc des Princes, PSG responded to an early goal by Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers with three unanswered goals — courtesy of Désiré Doué, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Nuno Mendes — to secure a 3-1 lead heading into the return fixture. Villa will need a near-perfect performance in front of their home crowd to overturn the deficit.

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What’s at Stake

A place in the Champions League semifinals. The winner of this tie will go on to face either Arsenal or Real Madrid. With such high stakes, UEFA has ensured a strong and experienced officiating team is in place to maintain fairness and control throughout.

As both sides gear up for what promises to be an electric evening at Villa Park, all eyes will not only be on the players — but also on how the match is managed from the center circle and the VAR booth.

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