Another quarter-final berth in the UEFA Champions League has been claimed—this time by Aston Villa. The English side put three goals past a depleted Brugge in the second leg, sealing a 3–0 victory and confirming their progression with ease.

Under head coach Unai Emery, the Birmingham outfit began by ceding possession, seemingly inviting the visitors to push forward in numbers. That plan paid off spectacularly after just over 15 minutes when goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez lofted a ball downfield to Marcus Rashford. A desperate challenge from Sabbe halted Rashford’s run, earning the Brugge defender a straight red card—and leaving the Belgian side facing both a two-goal deficit from the first leg and now a man disadvantage.

Reduced to ten men, Brugge fought bravely until halftime, but the introduction of Asensio after the break proved decisive. The Spaniard bagged two goals in quick succession, sandwiched around a tidy finish from Maatsen. That 11-minute blitz laid Brugge’s hopes to rest, making it clear they had no path back into the tie.

Next up for Aston Villa is a quarter-final showdown with PSG. For Unai Emery, it promises to be a highly charged affair; the Spanish manager once occupied the hot seat in Paris, and he will be keen to show just how far his new side has come under his leadership.

2024-25 UEFA Champions League

Aston Villa - Club Brugge 3:0 (0:0)
Goals: Asensio, 50 (1:0); Maatsen I., 57 (2:0); Asensio, 61 (3:0)

Aston Villa: Martinez E.; Konsa; Maatsen I.; Mings (Torres Pau, 66); Kamara B. (Bailey, 46); Cash (Disasi, 73); McGinn J.; Tielemans; Watkins (Asensio, 46); Rogers M. (Ramsey J., 66); Rashford
Bench: Zych; Olsen R.; Digne; Onana A.; Bogarde L.

Club Brugge: Mignolet; De Cuyper; Mechele; Ordonez J. (Romero, 59); Sabbe (till 16); Vanaken; Jutgla (Nilsson G., 59); Onyedika; Jashari (Nielsen C.M., 59); Talbi (Skóraś, 59); Tzolis (Siquet, 66)
Bench: Jackers; Spileers; Vetlesen; Campbell S.; Vermant
Yellow Cards: Vanaken 70
Red cards: Sabbe 16'