Aston Villa secured a crucial 3-1 win away to Club Brugge in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday, thanks to two late goals, including a Marco Asensio penalty. The match had been evenly balanced until the closing stages, after Maxim De Cuyper’s strike for the hosts had canceled out Leon Bailey’s early opener.
Club Brugge had put up a strong fight at the Jan Breydelstadion, with Villa initially taking the lead in the third minute through Bailey’s controlled first-time finish following a header from Tyrone Mings. However, Brugge quickly responded as De Cuyper found the back of the net to level the score.
Villa’s comeback was sparked by an 82nd-minute own goal from Brugge’s Brandon Mechele, who turned a Morgan Rogers cross into his own net. Asensio then sealed the win with a penalty in the 88th minute, his fifth goal in four games, securing a two-goal cushion for Villa.
The victory puts Aston Villa in a strong position to reach the quarter-finals, with a chance to face either Paris Saint-Germain or Liverpool, depending on the outcome of their second-leg fixture at Villa Park next Wednesday. Villa, who had finished eighth in the league phase, qualified directly for the last-16 stage, but they will be eager to make amends for their 1-0 loss in Bruges earlier in the season.
In the match, Villa had to withstand some strong pressure from the hosts, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez making key saves, particularly denying Chemsdine Talbi and keeping his side in the game. Villa’s attack was quiet for large stretches, but Unai Emery’s substitutions—particularly the introduction of Asensio—helped the team regain their advantage late on.
Asensio’s penalty, awarded after Tzolis fouled Matty Cash in the box, wrapped up the victory, giving Villa a commanding lead ahead of the return leg.
