Aston Villa secured a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in Belgium, putting themselves in a strong position to reach the quarter-finals. Two late goals, an own goal and a penalty, sealed the win after a tightly contested match.
Leon Bailey gave Villa a dream start, scoring after just two minutes and 15 seconds. The former Genk player, making his return to Belgium, produced a sumptuous half-volley after a headed assist by Tyrone Mings. The goal was a measure of redemption for Mings, who had conceded a penalty for handball in the group stage meeting between the two sides, which Club Brugge won 1-0.
However, Villa’s lead was short-lived. Maxim de Cuyper equalized for Club Brugge in the 12th minute with a low finish. Shortly before, former Liverpool goalkeeper, Simon Mignolet, saved Marcus Rashford.
The match remained tightly balanced, with Club Brugge’s Hans Vanaken going close with a header in the 69th minute and former Norwich player Christos Tzolis missing a clear chance, blazing over from eight yards.
Villa, though, struck twice in the final 10 minutes to take control of the tie. In the 82nd minute, Brandon Mechele, stretching to intercept a cross from Morgan Rogers, turned the ball into his own net. Substitute Marco Asensio then made it 3-1 from the penalty spot after Matty Cash was fouled by Tzolis. Asensio, a three-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, has now scored 10 of his 13 Champions League goals as a substitute, a competition record.
Villa on Course for Quarter-Finals
The victory was a polished display from Unai Emery’s side, who will be confident of completing the job in the second leg at Villa Park on Wednesday, March 12th. This was Villa’s first knockout tie in European football’s premier competition since the 1982-83 quarter-finals. Despite losing two of their previous three away games in Europe this season, Aston Villa managed the game with a few scares.
The 1,500 travelling Villa fans celebrated enthusiastically at the final whistle. The winners of this tie will face either Liverpool or Paris St-Germain in the quarter-finals. Aston Villa has won six out of their nine matches in the competition this season. Even a second-half yellow card to manager Unai Emery didn’t sour the mood. Villa Brugge
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