The UEFA Champions League returns as Club Brugge and Aston Villa meet in the last-16 first leg at Jan Breydelstadion. Both teams will be aiming to take an advantage into the return fixture at Villa Park.
๐น Club Brugge stunned Atalanta in the playoffs with a 5-2 aggregate win.
๐น Aston Villa finished top 8 in the league phase, securing direct qualification.
๐น The two sides met in the group stage, with Brugge winning 1-0 at home.
๐น Club Brugge have lost just once in their last 17 home games across all competitions.
The Belgian champions have exceeded expectations in the Champions League, knocking out Atalanta in a stunning playoff performance.
๐ Current Form:
๐ Last 5 matches: W2, D2, L1
โฝ Last match: 1-1 draw vs. Gent (A)
๐ฅ Key Players:
๐ Injuries & Suspensions:
โ Bjorn Meijer (injury), Raphael Onyedika (muscle injury)
๐ Home Form (Champions League):
๐ Played: 3
โ
Wins: 2
๐ค Draws: 1
โ Losses: 0
Unai Emeryโs side had a strong league phase, but their away form remains a concern as they travel to Belgium.
๐ Current Form:
๐ Last 5 matches: W3, D1, L1
โฝ Last match: 2-0 win vs. Cardiff City (FA Cup)
๐ฅ Key Players:
๐ Injuries & Suspensions:
โ Tyrone Mings, Pau Torres, Amadou Onana, Ross Barkley (injured)
โ Andres Garcia, Donyell Malen (ineligible)
๐ Away Form (Champions League):
๐ Played: 3
โ
Wins: 2
๐ค Draws: 0
โ Losses: 1
โ
Club Brugge 1-0 Aston Villa โ Nov 2024, Champions League
๐ค First ever competitive meeting between the sides
๐น Key Stats:
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Club Brugge 1-1 Aston Villa
Bruggeโs home form makes them tough to beat, but Villaโs attacking quality should secure a crucial away goal.
๐ Both Teams to Score: Yes
โ
Brugge have scored in 34 of their last 35 games.
โ
Villa have kept just 1 clean sheet in their last 12 away games.
๐ Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Under 2.5 Goals
โ
The last two meetings involving Brugge & Villa ended with under 2.5 goals.
๐ Anytime Goalscorer: Marco Asensio
โ
Asensio has 4 goals in his last 3 games and is in top form.
๐ Half-Time Result: Draw (0-0 or 1-1)
โ
Villa will look to keep it tight early before pushing forward.
๐งค Mignolet
๐ก๏ธ Seys, Ordonez, Mechele, De Cuyper
โก Jashari, Vetlesen
๐ฅ Talbi, Vanaken, Tzolis
๐ฏ Jutgla
๐งค Martinez
๐ก๏ธ Cash, Konsa, Bogarde, Digne
โก Kamara, Tielemans
๐ฅ McGinn, Asensio, Rogers
๐ฏ Watkins
๐
Match Date: March 4, 2025
๐ Venue: Jan Breydelstadion, Bruges
โฐ Kickoff Time: 5:45 PM UK Time
With Club Brugge in superb form at home and Aston Villa struggling away, this could be a tight battle. Will Unai Emeryโs experience guide Villa to a crucial first-leg advantage, or can Brugge make another big statement in the Champions League?
Drop your predictions below! ๐ฅโฝ
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