Aston Villa is set to host Club Brugge at Villa Park on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie, having secured a 3-1 victory in the first leg. The Premier League side will be aiming for their first quarter-final appearance since 1982, and with their solid lead, they are poised to advance with just about any result except for a significant defeat.
The first leg was rife with tension but ended dramatically after Villa broke free from a 1-1 deadlock late on. Leon Bailey initiated the scoring early, netting the opener just three minutes after the kickoff. A precise free kick executed by Tyrone Mings set up Bailey for the early strike, prompting hopes of a comfortable victory among the visiting fans.
Yet, Club Brugge quickly answered back, equalizing through Maxim De Cuyper just nine minutes later. He capitalized on Villa's defensive lapse to slot home from the back post, leaving Villa's goalkeeper, Emiliano Martínez, with little chance. The proceeding match saw both teams display their attacking prowess, but it was the visitors who held the upper hand statistically, finishing with 56% possession and matching Villa's shot total at 10, though they managed only two on target.
The match took a decisive turn late on when Aston Villa defender Brandon Mechele unintentionally scored an own goal as he mistimed his attempt to clear Marco Asensio’s cross, gifting Villa the lead again. Minutes later, Villa sealed the victory with a penalty conversion by Marco Asensio, capping off their win.
Heading to the second leg, Club Brugge's manager, Nicky Hayen, emphasized the need for his team to believe and play aggressively. "If we did not believe in it, we would not be here. You always have to believe," he said. Brugge will aim to replicate their 3-1 league victory over local rivals Cercle Brugge as they seek to mitigate Villa's two-goal advantage.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, aware of the stakes, is planning to maintain respect for the opposition. He commented, "Nothing changes. We are respecting them a lot. Tomorrow anything could happen. We won there but we won in the last minutes with two actions. The match can change so quickly." Emery is preparing his squad for various scenarios including the possibility of extra time.
For the upcoming match, Villa will welcome back key players—Marco Asensio, Amadou Onana, and Emiliano Martínez—who missed the previous league clash against Brentford. Despite their absence on Saturday, they are expected to bolster the squad when it counts the most. Aston Villa will, unfortunately, continue to miss Ross Barkley and Amadou Onana, as both are sidelined due to injury.
Notably, the historically rich match between these teams marks the third meeting overall, with each having claimed one victory. The upcoming match promises to be exciting, not just for these teams but also for the fans who will fill Villa Park, eager for European glory.
Aston Villa has recorded impressive statistics against Belgian teams, with the club having gone unbeaten against Belgian opponents at home since their last game against Anderlecht during the European Cup semifinals of 1982. Given the circumstances, the hosts are tipped to advance, even as Club Brugge strives for redemption and progression.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. EST, with the match available for streaming on Paramount+. This latest clash carries the weight of expectation as Villa aims to secure their place among Europe’s elite, marking their comeback story after decades out of the latter stages of this prestigious tournament.
Expectations are high, with predictions centering around another potential win for Villa against Club Brugge, who will need to score—possibly multiple times—to upset the standings. According to reports, the likely scoreline is set at Aston Villa 1-1 Club Brugge, allowing Villa to progress comfortably to the next round.
Both teams will sport their strongest lineups, seeking to showcase tactical prowess and resolve as they navigate this high-stakes encounter. The footballing world looks forward to seeing if Aston Villa can extend their lead and secure their fate against Club Brugge, who must dig deep to turn this tie around.