Aston Villa secured a vital first-leg victory in their Champions League Round of 16 tie against Club Brugge with a convincing 3-1 win at Jan Breydelstadion.
Unai Emery’s men showed resilience and attacking brilliance to take a crucial two-goal advantage ahead of the second leg.
Early Action Sets the Tone
The match kicked off with high intensity, and it did not take long for Villa to take the lead.
In just the third minute, Leon Bailey struck a stunning volley into the net after a well-placed free kick from Youri Tielemans.
The early goal stunned the home crowd and gave Aston Villa the momentum.
However, Club Brugge responded quickly. Just nine minutes later, Maxim De Cuyper equalized with a clinical first-time finish from Christos Tzolis’ assist.
The Belgian side gained confidence and started controlling possession, creating several dangerous chances.
Tense Battle in the Second Half
Both teams pushed hard after the break. Villa made tactical changes, bringing in Marco Asensio, Matty Cash, and Boubacar Kamara.
The changes made an immediate impact, with Asensio forcing a save from Simon Mignolet and Cash making darting runs down the right wing.
At the other end, Villa’s defense had to work hard to keep Brugge at bay. Tyrone Mings made a heroic goal-line clearance to deny Hans Vanaken’s powerful header.
Brugge kept pushing forward but lacked the finishing touch in key moments.
Late Drama Seals Villa’s Victory
With just eight minutes left on the clock, Villa regained the lead in dramatic fashion.
Morgan Rogers sent a dangerous cross into the box, and Brugge defender Brandon Mechele mistakenly deflected the ball into his own net.
The unfortunate own goal gave Villa a huge advantage.
Things got worse for Brugge when Matty Cash was fouled inside the box by Tzolis in the 88th minute.
The referee pointed to the spot, and Marco Asensio stepped up with confidence. He slotted the penalty into the bottom corner, sealing a 3-1 win for Villa.
Mings Leads the Defensive Wall
Tyrone Mings was the standout performer for Aston Villa. His defensive awareness and leadership were crucial in keeping Brugge at bay.
His goal-saving clearance in the second half proved to be a turning point in the match.
What’s Next?
Brugge will now turn their focus to their domestic league clash against Cercle Brugge, while Villa will prepare for an important English Premier League game before hosting the second leg at Villa Park.
With a two-goal cushion, Villa have a strong advantage, but Brugge will be determined to fight back.
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