Aston Villa Ends Club Brugge’s Fairy-Tale Season

Added at:
another languages: uk ru

Aston Villa scored three goals in Brugge

Aston Villa took a huge step toward the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals with a commanding 3-1 victory over Club Brugge on Belgian soil. Overturning a two-goal deficit in Birmingham will be a daunting challenge for the hosts.

High-Intensity Start in Brugge

The match got off to a lightning-fast start, with both teams throwing caution to the wind. Aston Villa took the lead just three minutes in when Youri Tielemans delivered a precise free-kick into the box, Tyrone Mings nodded it onwards, and Leon Bailey reacted quickly to slot the ball into the net. But the Belgian side responded just nine minutes later—Christos Tzolis broke free on the left, squared it for Bjorn De Kuiper, and the midfielder slotted the ball into the far bottom corner past Emiliano Martínez to level the score.

Second-Half Tactical Tweaks Make the Difference

Following the equalizer, both sides fought for control, but clear-cut chances were scarce. The match took a significant turn after Unai Emery made four substitutions in the 64th minute. Just four minutes later, Jacob Ramsey and Marco Asensio combined well, forcing Simon Mignolet into a crucial save.

Moments later, Club Brugge nearly regained the lead. Hans Vanaken met a Tzolis cross with a powerful header, but the ball whistled past the far post. Shortly after, Tzolis found himself through on goal but blazed his effort over the bar.

Late Drama Seals Villa’s Victory

With just eight minutes left, the Belgian side’s night unraveled in dramatic fashion. Brandon Mechele, attempting to cut out a cross from Jaden Philogene, inadvertently sent the ball into the top corner of his own net. And six minutes later, Tzolis completed a personal nightmare, miscontrolling the ball inside the box before clattering into Matty Cash. The referee pointed to the spot, and Asensio calmly converted the penalty to give Aston Villa a commanding 3-1 lead ahead of the second leg at Villa Park.

2024-25 UEFA Champions League

Club Brugge - Aston Villa 1:3 (1:1)
Goals: Bailey, 3 (0:1); De Cuyper, 12 (1:1); Mechele, 82 (own goal) (1:2); Asensio, 88 (penalty) (1:3)

Club Brugge: Mignolet; De Cuyper; Mechele; Ordonez J.; Sabbe (Skóraś, 90); Vanaken; Jutgla (Nilsson G., 86); Onyedika (Vetlesen, 90); Jashari; Talbi (Siquet, 86); Tzolis
Bench: Jackers; Romero; Spileers; Nielsen C.M.; Campbell S.; Vermant

Aston Villa: Martinez E.; Digne; Disasi (Cash, 64); Konsa; Mings; McGinn J. (Ramsey J., 64); Tielemans; Watkins (Bogarde L., 91); Bailey (Kamara B., 64); Rogers M.; Rashford (Asensio, 64)
Bench: Zych; Olsen R.; Maatsen I.; Torres Pau

another languages: uk ru

Sport News RSS - Sport News - Terrikon

24 April

14:40
End of an Era: Leicester City Legend Jamie Vardy Announces Departure
11:11
Copa Libertadores: Goalkeeping Howler Sinks Botafogo, River Plate Rescue a Point
10:09
Juventus Stumble Again — Shock Defeat to Parma Puts UCL Hopes in Jeopardy
08:51
Madrid Keep Pressure on Barcelona Ahead of El Clásico Showdown
08:37
AC Milan Humiliate Inter to Reach Coppa Italia Final in Style
08:20
Arsenal Slip Again — Liverpool One Step Away From Premier League Glory

23 April

17:09
Barcelona Secure Hansi Flick's Future Until 2027
10:49
Copa Libertadores: Internacional Pull Off Stunning 3-Goal Comeback & Highlights from Matchday 3
08:59
Valencia and Espanyol Share the Points in Relegation Six-Pointer
08:44
Barcelona Fire 40 Shots But Settle for Narrow Win Over Mallorca
08:28
PSG Drop Points Against Relegation-Battling Nantes
08:13
City Snatch Late Victory Over Aston Villa to Climb to Third

22 April

14:40
Manchester United Eye Double Real Madrid Raid: Lunin and Tchouaméni for €100 Million
08:37
Girona's Freefall Continues as Relegation Fears Grow
08:19
Nottingham Forest Bounce Back to Third After Win Over Tottenham

21 April

23:13
Leeds United and Burnley Seal Return to the Premier League
12:17
Serie A Matches Postponed Following the Death of Pope Francis
08:36
Atalanta Edge Out Lacklustre AC Milan
08:19
Federico Valverde's Last-Minute Stunner Saves Real Madrid Against Athletic Bilbao

20 April

22:33
Bayern on Brink of Bundesliga Title After Bayer Drop Points Again
21:42
Oscar Piastri Beats Verstappen to Take Formula 1 Championship Lead
21:05
Serie A Title Race Heats Up as Inter Fall to Bologna
20:42
Alexander-Arnold's Fairytale Return Puts Liverpool on Title's Doorstep
18:45
Arsenal Crush Ipswich to Stay in Premier League Title Race
18:27
Manchester United Slip Again as In-Form Wolves Make History