In a match that was played in bursts, we saw four goals, three of which ended up in the home team’s net. Aston Villa has their win to thank largely to Club Brugge’s defense for the opportunities they provided for Emery’s team.Teams are out. The travelling supporters in the top far corner. #AVFC pic.twitter.com/xdv8B6a0oV— Jacob Tanswell (@J_Tanswell) March 4, 2025 After the first fifteen minutes, a lot was expected from this match. There was almost no, as sports commentators would say, initial outsmarting, as in the 3rd minute, we saw the first goal, and it was in the home team’s net.In a nice play where Mings headed the ball back from the penalty area to about the distance of the penalty spot, Leon Bailey quickly reacted to that ball, took a shot, and with a strike into the bottom right corner, he beat Simon Mignolet.⚽️ GOAL: Leon Bailey🇪🇺 Club Brugge 0-1 Aston Villapic.twitter.com/BvdY52nXpp— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) March 4, 2025 The guests didn’t stop after the first goal, and in the 9th minute, we saw a good chance where the new signing for Aston Villa, Marcus Rashford, was involved. The young Englishman nicely combined with Bailey, the scorer of the first goal, but from not such an easy position, he actually hit a good shot, only for the ball to go straight into the hands of the home goalkeeper.It seemed that this was a sign for the home team to wake up, as just 3 minutes later, we saw the equalizer. On an assist from Tzolis, De Cuyper positioned himself nicely, and then hit an even better shot to make it 1-1 on the scoreboard.⚽️ GOAL: Maxim De Cuyper🇪🇺 Club Brugge 1-1 Aston Villapic.twitter.com/L8o2qHpUDg— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) March 4, 2025 It seemed like both teams slowed down after these two goals, aware that the whole situation could easily turn in the opponent’s favor. The only chance for the rest of the first half came in the 31st minute, when Chemsdine Talbi had a shot as good as he could in that situation, but Martinez managed to save it with a brilliant reflex and kept his team from falling behind.One-one at the break in Bruges ⚖️#CLUAVL pic.twitter.com/AflfPh94Ja— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) March 4, 2025 A mirror of the first half, the second half began the same way. It wasn’t until the 55th minute that we saw a half-chance. Raphael Onyedika picked up a rebound outside the box and fired a powerful shot under the crossbar from long range, but Emiliano Martinez made a fine save.Both teams then entered another lull with no real chances until the 68th minute. That’s when Asensio found himself in a great position after receiving a cross, but Simon Mignolet managed to keep his net untouched. The ball rebounded off the goalkeeper, landing at Matty Cash’s feet, but he sent it way over the bar.Asensio’s initial effort is saved, before Cashy volleys over 😣🔵 1-1 ⚪️ [68’] #UCL— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) March 4, 2025 Inspired by their opponents’ attempt, Brugge immediately responded with a chance of their own just seconds later. Vanaken met a well-delivered cross with his head, aiming for the far corner, but his effort went wide.Then, in the 74th minute, the home side had another golden opportunity. Tzolis found himself almost one-on-one with the keeper but struck the ball too hard, sending it high over the goal.In the 82nd minute, just when nothing spectacular seemed to be happening on the pitch, the ball found its way into Brugge’s net. Rogers delivered a well-placed cross, aiming for a striker in the box, but instead, in an attempt to clear it, Mechele unintentionally beat his own goalkeeper, giving Aston Villa the lead.⚽️ GOAL: Mechele (OG)🇪🇺 Club Brugge 1-2 Aston Villapic.twitter.com/jn1fHQR6Is— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) March 4, 2025 ⚽️ GOAL: Asensio🇪🇺 Club Brugge 1-3 Aston Villapic.twitter.com/013ky630BG— Goals Xtra (@GoalsXtra) March 4, 2025 That wasn’t the end. In the 86th minute, a penalty was awarded to the English side after Tzolis tripped Matty Cash in a position where the Polish defender posed no real threat to the hosts’ goal. Asensio successfully converted from the spot, extending his team’s lead.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – ROUND OF 16First legTuesday Club Brugge – Aston Villa 1-3 (1-1)/De Cuyper 12 – Bailey 3, Mechele 81 (og), Asensio 88 pen/23.00: (1.80) Dortmund (3.60) Lille (4.60)23.00: (3.80) PSV (3.45) Arsenal (2.00)23.00: (1.87) Real Madrid (3.50) Atl.Madrid (4.20)Wednesday 20.45: (5.60) Feyenoord (3.70) Inter (1.65)23.00: (1.82) Bayern (3.60) Leverkusen (4.40)23.00: (3.80) Benfica (3.60) Barcelona (1.95)23.00: (2.45) PSG (3.45) Liverpool (2.80)***odds are subject to change***
