Aston Villa took significant control of their Champions League last-16 tie by beating Club Brugge 3-1 at the Jan Breydel Stadium on March 4, 2025. This marked Villa's first knockout tie at this level since the 1982-83 season, and they showed their intent early on. Leon Bailey, celebrating his homecoming as a former Genk player, scored just 2 minutes and 15 seconds after kick-off, converting a half-volley following Tyrone Mings' header assist.
Yet, Brugge responded swiftly to re-establish parity through Maxim De Cuyper. The Belgian side, buoyed by their recent form, set forth attacks with their captain Hans Vanaken coming close to securing the lead but were thwarted by Villa's defense. Villa's goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez made some key saves to maintain the tie, showcasing his experience on the European stage.
Unai Emery's frustration began to build as the match continued. Following the half-time interval, he opted for tactical changes, including bringing on Marco Asensio, who had been introduced to the match on the hour mark. Despite Villa's demands for clearances and defensive work, Brugge produced sustained pressure, making chances through Chemsdine Talbi and Christos Tzolis but unfortunately could not capitalize.
The match turned dramatically late on. With less than ten minutes to play, the home team faced misfortune as Brandon Mechele unintentionally redirected Morgan Rogers' cross past his own goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet, giving Villa the lead at 2-1. This own goal shifted the momentum decidedly toward the visitors.
The final minutes saw Villa securing their triumph with another goal, courtesy of Marco Asensio, who scored from the penalty spot after Tzolis fouled Matty Cash within the area. The right-footed shot firmly found the bottom left corner, marking one of the key moments of the evening as Villa wrapped up the match at 3-1.
The result positions Aston Villa firmly as favorites to progress to the quarter-finals, emboldened by their late goals. The return leg will take place at Villa Park on March 12, consistently seeing Villa deliver solid performances throughout this Champions League season where they have already claimed victory in six of their nine fixtures.
While Club Brugge showed moments of brilliance—evidenced by their equalizer—the two late mistakes proved costly. Coach Nicky Hayen acknowledged the disappointment but praised their overall campaign which began with unexpected wins against strong opposition, including their impressive 3-1 victory over Atalanta during the playoffs.
Despite their recent setbacks, Brugge remains determined, reflecting on their capacity to adapt and respond positively as they yield to their next encounter. Their resilience will be tested as they seek to overturn the deficit against Villa's formidable squad.
Footage of the match revealed the intensity with which both teams approached this European clash. For Aston Villa, this win is significant on the strategic front, as Unai Emery, known for his adept tactics during European fixtures, capitalizes on fellow side's slip-ups. With stars like Leon Bailey thriving, Villa embraces the underdog narrative of this historic competition.
The return match at Villa Park promises to be equally thrilling as fans await how both sides will adapt their strategies. For now, Aston Villa returns home with their fans to celebrate this memorable victory, poised for the next challenge.