Aston Villa advanced into the quarter-finals of the Champions League after beating Club Brugge 3-0 on Wednesday night and winning their round of 16 tie 6-1 on aggregate.
Aston Villa started nervously but they soon settled when Emiliano Martinez's long pass in behind the visitors' defence to Marcus Rashford led to right-back Kyriani Sabbe's dismissal after he dragged down the Englishman early on.
The game was goalless at half time but Leon Bailey squeezed the ball through Club Brugge's defence early shortly after the interval to Marco Asensio, who had brough the ball forward, and the Spaniard fiercely struck the ball into the net from close range.
Ian Maatsen doubled Villa's lead minutes later following excellent footwork from Morgan Rogers in the penalty area, though the goalscorer benefitted hugely from a deflection.
Rashford charged down the flank minutes later to provide set up Asensio for his second of the night, and his goal proved to be the last of the night in a comfortable evening of football for Villa.
The hosts have set up a quarter-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain, who managed to get the better of Liverpool over two legs in the round of 16.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Villa's league form might see them miss out on Champions League qualification, but Unai Emery is a specialist when it comes to knockout football.
While PSG will be seen as firm favourites to progress in the tie, nobody should underestimate the Villians' potential to cause an upset.
As for Club Brugge, they will feel they should have taken their chances in the first leg, but they could do little in the second once they had been reduced to 10 men.
ASTON VILLA VS. CLUB BRUGGE HIGHLIGHTS
17th min: Kyriani Sabbe (Club Brugge) red card
Club Brugge receive a red card after just 17 minutes 😬
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 12, 2025
Kyriani Sabbe pulled down Marcus Rashford, denying him a goalscoring opportunity 🟥
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Aston Villa circulate possession around the back and Emiliano Martinez decides to go long over the top of Club Brugge's defence to Marcus Rashford, but right-back Kyriani Sabbe drags the forward down and is sent off.
That should settle the hosts' nerves!
Marco Asensio goal vs. Club Brugge (50th min, Aston Villa 1-0 Club Brugge)
Marco Asensio extends Aston Villa's lead to 4-1 on aggregate, just 4️⃣ minutes after entering the pitch 💥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 12, 2025
He's now scored 6 goals in 8 games for the club 🤩
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Marco Asensio charges forward centrally towards the box and lays the ball off to his right before drifting left, but the attacker shifts back to the front post and smashes into the roof of the net when possession is poked through to him in the box.
Game over!
Ian Maatsen goal vs. Club Brugge (57th min, Aston Villa 2-0 Club Brugge)
Ian Maatsen gets his first goal for Aston Villa, who are now surely through to the Champions League Quarter-Finals 🔥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 12, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/RE8jMJhlTo
Morgan Rogers collects possession deep in the visitors' box on the left but has two defenders in front him, though he manages to scoop a pass to Ian Maatsen, who strikes at the ball and sees his effort deflect off of Brandon Mechele and into the back of the net.
The tie was over but now the game is over too!
Marco Asensio goal vs. Club Brugge (61st min, Aston Villa 3-0 Club Brugge)
Aston Villa are absolutely flying 👏
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 12, 2025
Marcus Rashford links up with Marco Asensio once again as they now lead 6-1 on aggregate over Club Brugge 📈
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Marcus Rashford uses his blistering pace down the left flank and attacks the penalty area before playing a square pass across to Marco Asensio, who sweeps home from close range to score his second of the game.
It's a party at Villa Park now!
MAN OF THE MATCH - MARCO ASENSIO
© Imago
Marco Asensio was the decisive factor on the night, driving forward to open up space which allowed Leon Bailey to provide an assist for the Spaniard to open the scoring.
The attacker managed to net a second, and he also produced the joint most shots (3) and the most shots and target (3) of any player on the pitch, while also hitting the post.
ASTON VILLA VS. CLUB BRUGGE MATCH STATS
Possession: Aston Villa 53%-47% Club Brugge
Shots: Aston Villa 14-4 Club Brugge
Shots on target: Aston Villa 10-1 Club Brugge
Corners: Aston Villa 3-1 Club Brugge
Fouls: Aston Villa 7-8 Club Brugge
BEST STATS
No Premier League player has scored more goals across all competitions than Marco Asensio (7) since his debut for Aston Villa in February.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 12, 2025
Settling in nicely 🏡 pic.twitter.com/n07DwgAgnb
Aston Villa have reached the quarterfinals (or further) in each of their three appearances in the European Cup / Champions League.
— FotMob (@FotMob) March 12, 2025
1981/82 (winners), 1982/83 (QF), and now 2024/25. pic.twitter.com/YfCAoS2NP8
WHAT NEXT?
Aston Villa have a long wait until they next play a football match, with their FA Cup clash against Preston North End on March 30 the next time they play any game.
As for Club Brugge, they return to league action on March 16 against Sporting Charleroi before taking on Anderlecht in the Belgian Cup final on May 4.
Lewis Nolan
