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Aston Villa vs. Club Brugge: Team news confirmed for Champions League game, do Emiliano Martinez, Marco Asensio start?

Aston Villa, Club Brugge team news confirmed: Do Martinez, Asensio start in CL tie?
© Imago
Aston Villa and Club Brugge confirm their first XIs for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Aston Villa and Club Brugge have confirmed their first XIs for Wednesday's Champions League fixture.

The two teams head into the second leg of their last-16 tie at Villa Park with the Premier League outfit holding a 3-1 advantage on aggregate.

Despite this being Villa's last fixture before the March international break, Unai Emery has opted to make four alterations to the team that started against Brentford on Saturday evening.

Most notably, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is in a position to return between the sticks after recovering from a minor injury.

Matty Cash and Ian Maatsen are surprise starters in the full-back roles with Axel Disasi and Lucas Digne dropping down to the substitutes' bench.

Marcus Rashford has also been given the nod ahead of Jacob Ramsey as he bids to score his first goal in a Villa shirt.

Marco Asensio is passed fit to be selected among the replacements, while Amadou Onana also makes a welcome return to the squad after a hamstring injury.

Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen on March 4, 2025© Imago

No changes for Club Brugge

Meanwhile, Club Brugge boss Nicky Hayen has opted to select the same starting lineup from the 3-1 win over Cercle Brugge in the derby on Sunday.

Hans Vanaken - who is making his 50th Champions League outing for Club Brugge - and Ferran Jutgla's double in the space of 10 first-half minutes made the difference on that occasion.

Hayen was able to rest five of his key players between half time and the 73rd minute, providing him with fewer reasons to consider any alterations.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; McGinn, Tielemans, Kamara, Rashford; Rogers; Watkins
Subs: Disasi, Digne, Torres, Onana, Bogarde, Asensio, Bailey, Ramsey, Zych, Olsen

Club Brugge XI: Mignolet; De Cuyper, Ordonez, Mechele, Sabbe, Onyedika, Vanaken, Jashari, Tzolis, Jutgla, Talbi
Subs: Romero, Siquet, Spileers, Vetlesen, Nielsen, Vermant, Nilsson, Skoras, Campbell, Jackers

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Written by
Darren Plant

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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery on January 21, 2025
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