Villa take potentially vital lead to second leg

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Club Brugge 1 - 3 Aston Villa

Aston Villa took control of their Champions League last-16 tie with a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge, capitalising on a late collapse from the Belgian side to gain an advantage ahead of next Wednesday’s second leg.

Author - Jamie P

Stadium - Jan Breydelstadion

From across Europe - UCL ~ Club Brugge v Villa pictures from the crowd
Pictures from the away end

Brugge had looked the more composed team for much of the contest but were left to rue their own mistakes after conceding twice in the closing stages against an underwhelming Villa. The hosts’ downfall began when Brandon Mechele inadvertently turned Morgan Rogers’ cross into his own net.

Just five minutes later, a careless challenge from Christos Tzolis on Matty Cash gifted Villa a penalty, which Marco Asensio confidently dispatched. The three-time Champions League winner has now scored three goals in his last two appearances for the club.

How the match unfolded

Leon Bailey gave Villa the perfect start, volleying home inside three minutes to put the visitors in front.

However, Brugge responded swiftly, drawing level just nine minutes later. Maxim De Cuyper finished smartly from Tzolis’ cutback after a well-weighted ball over the top caught Villa’s defence out.

From across Europe - UCL ~ Club Brugge v Villa pre match
The iconic Champions League theme

The home side looked the more dangerous for large spells and will feel they should have taken control earlier. Chemsdine Talbi forced a fine save from Emiliano Martínez in the first half, while Hans Vanaken—who netted the winner when Brugge edged past Villa in November—and Tzolis both went close after the break.

But in the end, Villa held firm and took full advantage of Brugge’s late lapses. Those two late goals leave Unai Emery’s side in a commanding position ahead of the return leg at Villa Park.

The best reaction and analysis

Peter Thomas was in the away end and he was delighted with Villa’s win, even if he thought the performance wasn't great. "We've played better this season but that was a fantastic win. This could be a memorable campaign for us."

Peter added: "With less than three months of the season to go, we are in the quarter finals of the FA Cup with a decent draw and are favourites to qualify for the last 8 of the Champions League. Failing to reach Europe next season would be painful, but the playeds still have three fantasticbchances and this squad is arguably stronger now than at any previous point in the season. The players we signed in January have been doing great for us."

Location: Bruges, Belgium

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