Villains set up quarter-final clash with PSG

Aston Villa produced a commanding second-half display to ease past Club Brugge with a 3-0 victory at Villa Park, sealing their place in the Champions League quarter-finals 6-1 on aggregate.

A brace from substitute Marco Asensio and a goal from Ian Maatsen ensured Unai Emery’s side progressed with ease, despite a sluggish first-half performance.

Despite their 3-1 deficit from the first leg, Club Brugge started brightly, controlling possession and putting Villa under early pressure.

Hans Vanaken came close with a header, while Chemsdine Talbi forced Emiliano Martinez into a routine save.

The Belgian champions looked confident, but their task was made significantly harder in the 16th minute when right-back Kyriani Sabbe was shown a straight red card for pulling back Marcus Rashford as he raced through on goal.

Even with a man advantage, Villa struggled to impose themselves. Their best chance of the first half came when Youri Tielemans’ free-kick was palmed away by Simon Mignolet.

Brugge, despite being down to ten men, dominated possession, and the teams went into the break level.

Into the next round 🤩 #UCL pic.twitter.com/qFRux7AJjQ

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) March 12, 2025

Emery responded with attacking changes at half-time, introducing Marco Asensio and Leon Bailey, and the impact was almost immediate.

Within five minutes of the restart, Villa broke the deadlock. John McGinn spread the ball wide to Bailey, who squared for Asensio, and the Spaniard rifled the ball into the roof of the net to make it 4-1 on aggregate.

Villa doubled their lead just seven minutes later. Rashford and Morgan Rogers combined to feed Ian Maatsen, whose close-range finish took a deflection off Brandon Mechele and nestled in the back of the net.

It was the Dutch full-back’s first goal for the club, and effectively ended any hopes of a Brugge comeback.

Asensio continued his dream impact off the bench, grabbing his second of the night in the 61st minute. Rashford raced down the left flank before cutting back for the Real Madrid loanee, who coolly slotted home his seventh goal in eight games for Villa.

At 3-0 on the night and 6-1 on aggregate, Villa were firmly in cruise control.

Villa nearly added a fourth when Axel Disasi headed over from close range, while Rashford and Jacob Ramsey both tested Mignolet late on.

Brugge, visibly deflated, mustered little in response, and their valiant efforts in the competition came to an end as Villa saw out the final minutes comfortably.