Aston Villa are on the brink of booking their spot in the Champions League quarterfinals as they prepare to face Club Brugge in Birmingham.
Nolan James Mar 10
Villa Holding Advantage But Must Improve
Aston Villa head into this decisive clash with a 3-1 lead from the first leg, though they may feel fortunate to hold such a commanding position. Unai Emery’s men struck early in Brugge through Leon Bailey, but their control of the game soon faded. Maxim De Cuyper's equalizer put Club Brugge back on level terms, and for much of the match, the Belgian side looked the more threatening.
However, fortune favored Villa late on. An own goal from Brugge, caused by a relatively harmless Morgan Rogers cross, handed them a lifeline before a clumsy penalty allowed Marco Asensio to extend the advantage. While not a complete smash-and-grab, Villa’s two-goal cushion arguably flatters them.
Now, they return to Villa Park, where their Champions League form has been formidable—winning three and drawing one of their four home games, including a victory over Bayern Munich. With a one-goal defeat still enough to see them through, Villa are heavy favorites to advance. However, with quarterfinal qualification within reach, the pressure to finish the job convincingly will be high.
Club Brugge Face an Uphill Battle
Club Brugge travel to Birmingham knowing they need something special to overturn their deficit. Their late collapse at home has put them in a precarious position, and they’ll have to produce a near-perfect display to stay in the competition.
That said, Brugge have already proven they can thrive in hostile environments. Their stunning 3-1 win at Atalanta in the playoff round—where they raced into a 3-0 halftime lead—showcased their ability to rise to the occasion. However, unlike in Italy, they are now the ones needing to chase the game, which presents an entirely different challenge.
Brugge’s away record in the Champions League this season has been unpredictable, with two wins, one draw, and two losses. To have any chance, they will need a fast start to unsettle Villa. If they can grab an early goal, the home crowd could grow restless, opening the door for a potential shock result.
Aston Villa:
Villa enter the match in solid form, winning four of their last five games. Most recently, they secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Brentford, with Ollie Watkins netting the decisive goal. That result followed their first-leg victory in Brugge.
Prior to that, Villa defeated Cardiff City 2-0 in the FA Cup, with Marco Asensio grabbing a brace. However, they suffered a heavy 4-1 loss at Crystal Palace before bouncing back with a 2-1 victory over Chelsea, again inspired by Asensio’s two goals.
Club Brugge:
Brugge’s form has been mixed, recording two wins, one draw, and two losses in their last five outings. Over the weekend, they triumphed 3-1 in the Brugge derby against Cercle, with Hans Vanaken and Ferran Jutglà (2) getting on the scoresheet.
That win came after their 3-1 first-leg defeat to Villa, a 1-1 draw with Gent, and a disappointing 2-1 loss to Standard Liège. However, their confidence will be boosted by the memory of their 3-1 away win at Atalanta, where Talbi struck twice alongside Jutglà’s goal.
Aston Villa have been a dominant force at home in the Champions League, and with a two-goal cushion, they are well-placed to progress. Club Brugge will pose a challenge, but unless they can replicate their Atalanta heroics, the odds remain firmly in Villa’s favor.
