Aston Villa took a big step towards the Champions League quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge in the first leg of their last-16 clash on Tuesday.
Unai Emery’s side took the lead inside three minutes through Leon Bailey, but Brugge responded quickly with a superb equaliser from Maxim De Cuyper. The Belgian side remained competitive, but Villa regained control late on as Brandon Mechele’s own goal and a Marco Asensio penalty secured a commanding advantage.
Despite the win, Emery cautioned that the job is not yet finished. “We are not in the quarter-finals. There are still 90 minutes to play, and we are ready in case we need extra time and penalties,” the Villa boss said.
If they complete the task at Villa Park next Wednesday, Villa will set up a quarter-final clash with either Paris Saint-Germain or Liverpool.
Brugge had troubled Villa earlier in the season, beating them 1-0 in November, but this time, Emery’s men showed their quality. Bailey’s early goal was the perfect start, but Brugge fought back through De Cuyper’s first-time finish after good work from Christos Tzolis. The hosts had further chances, with Emiliano Martinez denying Chemsdine Talbi and Raphael Onyedika going close.
Emery made a quadruple substitution past the hour mark, including taking off Marcus Rashford, who had struggled to make an impact. One of the substitutes, Asensio, proved decisive, forcing a save before eventually finding the net from the penalty spot.
Before that, Rogers’ dangerous cross led to Mechele diverting the ball into his own goal. Moments later, Tzolis fouled Matty Cash in the box, allowing Asensio to step up and fire home from 12 yards.
Brugge coach Nicky Hayen lamented his side’s misfortune but remained hopeful. “We created a lot of chances, but the own goal and penalty made things much more difficult. Despite the result, we played a positive game, and we have to remember that next week.”
Villa will now look to finish the job at home as they edge closer to their first Champions League quarter-final in decades.
