Aston Villa supporters’ love affair with the on loan Marco Asensio is showing no sign of slowing. In front of the future king, Prince William, Asensio produced another majestic performance in claret and blue and will represent one of Villa’s best hopes in the Champions League quarter-final against Paris St-Germain.
Asensio just happens to be on loan at Villa from PSG but Uefa rules dictate that the Spain international is eligible to face his parent club.
He now has seven goals since signing in the January transfer window and his impressive impact adds another dash of intrigue to next month’s quarter-final, with the first leg at the Parc des Princes.
After a nervy start, Villa coasted through after ruthlessly capitalising on the dismissal of Club Brugge’s right-back Kyriani Sabbe after 16 minutes.
Villa have reached the last eight for the first time since 1983 and while PSG remain one of the favourites it would be foolish to write off a team managed by Unai Emery. There is a sense that Emery, a former PSG manager, has unfinished business in Paris. With Asensio, anything is possible.
Victories over Bayern Munich, Celtic, Bologna and RB Leipzig, plus a draw with Juventus, have underlined a swift adaptation to the Champions League which cannot be overestimated. Villa’s first season in Europe’s elite competition for over 40 years has been an exhilarating experience. It has also been a continuation of the transformational work of Emery, a serial winner who knows what it takes to win at these levels.
Six years ago the club was slugging it out in the Championship. Now they are signing proven internationals such as Marcus Rashford and Asensio on loan deals.
Villa are fighting on two other fronts, with a FA Cup quarter-final at Preston while they are in contention for a top-four finish in the Premier League. It is the Champions League, however, that has captured the imagination of these supporters and the journey is proving a magic carpet ride of memories.
This was never going to be a simple assignment. Indeed, Emery had implored his players to be cautious ahead of this third meeting with Club Brugge this season. The Belgian side have proved to be dangerous operators in Europe and beat Villa in the group stage. They also secured a highly impressive 3-1 win over Atalanta in the knock-out play-offs.
Emery’s concerns appeared well-founded at the start. Club Brugge were dominating possession and those inside this historic stadium became anxious very early into the contest. The momentum of the evening, however, completely shifted, against the run of play, in the 16th minute.
Emiliano Martínez’s long pass caught out the Club Brugge defence and released Rashford, who was pulled down by Sabbe outside the penalty area as he advanced on goal. After a short delay, as referee Daniel Siebert consulted his officials, the inevitable red card came out.
From the free-kick, Youri Tielemans tested former Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet and the expectation was that Villa’s early nerves would disappear. It was not turning out that way. Brugge remained effortlessly comfortable on the ball, forcing Villa into mistakes. The question was whether they could convert their dominance into goal-scoring opportunities, and Martínez was relatively untroubled.
Rashford did have one chance in the final minute of the half, driving a shot into the side netting from Tyrone Mings’s cross.
England manager Thomas Tuchel will name his first squad on Friday and the inclusion of Rashford, the Manchester United loanee, is uncertain.
Villa had offered little else in attack, and Emery made two changes at half-time in a bid to introduce some more impetus. Ollie Watkins had completed only two passes in the first-half and was replaced by Asensio. Leon Bailey was the other substitute and the new arrivals both combined to give Villa the lead five minutes into the second-half.
Bailey’s inventive chipped pass found Asensio in space and his finish past Mignolet was clinical. Emery barely moved, his face expressionless. Asensio could have added the second goal in the 54th minute, taking the ball down exquisitely with his left-foot before striking the post.
Club Brugge were now buckling under the pressure. Ian Maatsen increased Villa’s lead from close-range after brilliant play from Morgan Rogers to present the left-back with a simple finish.
Rashford created the third goal after breaking into the Club Brugge area and teeing up Asensio from six yards.
The contest was now done and dusted, and Emery took advantage by making a raft of further substitutions as time ticked away. Villa will fly out for a warm-weather training camp in Dubai, before returning for that FA Cup tie at Deepdale.
10:32 PM GMT
Thanks for joining us
That brings to an end our coverage of Aston Villa’s 3-0 win over Club Brugge that has seen them sail into the Champions League quarter-finals. Thanks for joining us!
10:25 PM GMT
‘We want more’, says Asensio
Aston Villa goalscorer Marco Asensio has told TNT Sports: “Very happy for the victory. I’m very happy for the team and the fans.
“Every match the atmosphere is top. We want more. Now we have a little break and to think about the upcoming objectives.
“I like to score there (Holte End). We’re adapting to the new players but we’re in the right way.
“Very comfortable. Very happy with the team-mates, the fans and the city. In one or two weeks we have time to think about this [PSG] game.”
10:22 PM GMT
Super-sub Asensio
Marco Asensio has now scored seven goals in his last five games in all competitions and has found the back of the net in three consecutive appearances for the first time since April 2021.
His tally of 12 Champions League goals as a substitute is higher than any other player in the competition.
10:18 PM GMT
‘The Championship feels like a long time ago’, says Mings
Aston Villa defender Tyrone Mings has told TNT Sports: “It’s good. Tough to put into words. When you’re in it, it’s hard to take it in and appreciate it, the level we’re playing at. The bar keeps raising. The Championship feels like a long time ago. I’m really enjoying the journey.
“It’s important for them [Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio] to come in and buy into it. They come with big reputations. For them to come in, hit the ground coming, buy into the group and show their quality is so impressive.
“We didn’t get it right in the first half. It’s important to stay calm and try to figure it out at half-time.
“His experience is so valuable. The ancedotes he gives us are so important to give us a reality check on how much work still needs to be done.
“Of course [he watched the PSG game yesterday], what else was I meant to be doing? Very tough game. We’re so excited. We play in the toughest league in the world. When it comes to the Champions League, we’ll go there and give a good account of ourselves. We’ll enjoy every moment but we have a lot of firepower and quality ourselves.”
10:11 PM GMT
Quarter-final draw
With the Madrid derby the final last 16 tie to be decided, here’s how the quarter-final draw has shaped up:
-
Paris Saint-Germain vs Aston Villa
-
Real Madrid / Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal
-
Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund
-
Bayern Munich vs Inter
10:09 PM GMT
Villa join elite club
Aston Villa have become the ninth English club to reach a Champions League quarter-final.
10:05 PM GMT
WATCH: Maatsen bags Villa’s second
10:03 PM GMT
‘We want to write our names in history’, says McGinn
Aston Villa captain John McGinn has told TNT Sports: “It’s mad. A lot of years of hard work. We let ourselves down in the first half but they’re a good side. Even with 10 men they were the better side. We’re lucky to have Marco to come off the bench. The second half was brilliant.
“It doesn’t get much harder than PSG over two legs. We have important games before that.
“I watched it [Liverpool v PSG] but you don’t want to get too far ahead of yourselves. Villa, Champions League quarter-finalists. Can’t ask for much more.
“It’ll be good to have a bit of a break. We have a chance for Wembley in the FA Cup. We want to get back and enjoy these nights next season. What an exciting end to the season we’ve got.
“We’re giving these fans experiences they’ll remember forever. We want to write our names in history and make these nights more frequent.”
09:58 PM GMT
Elsewhere
Vinicius Junior has missed a penalty in Real Madrid’s tie with Atletico Madrid meaning that one is going to extra-time with the scoreline 1-0 to Diego Simeone’s side on the night and 2-2 on aggregate.
The winner of that one will face Arsenal who have progressed past PSV following a 2-2 draw on the night but a 9-3 victory on aggregate. The goals for Mikel Arteta’s men came from Oleksandr Zinchenko and Declan Rice.
09:55 PM GMT
Up next
There’s a few weeks to wait now but up next for Aston Villa in Europe is a two-legged tie with Paris Saint-Germain following their penalty shoot-out victory over Liverpool on Tuesday.
Once again, the second leg will played at Villa Park following a first leg in France.
09:52 PM GMT
Full time: Aston Villa 3 (6) Club Brugge 0 (1)
We’re at the stage now where the referee should just call it a day with Rashford and Tielemans playing continuous one-twos and the managers already chatting.
It seems the referee does agree and, following a consultation between the fourth official and the two managers, he blows the full-time whistle with no time added on.
Villa are in the quarter-finals of the European Cup for the first time since 1983 and there are fireworks to celebrate!
09:47 PM GMT
87 mins: Aston Villa 3 (6) Club Brugge 0 (1)
With Paris Saint-Germain up next for Villa, it’s going to be a far superior test to the one they’ve faced this evening, but a 6-1 aggregate win will give them a heap of confidence.
Back to tonight though and Rashford looks to be slipped in on goal in the right of the box but he is just nudged off of it by Vanaken and the wait for a goal goes on.
09:43 PM GMT
83 mins: Aston Villa 3 (6) Club Brugge 0 (1)
Rashford, Ramsey and Maatsen are having some fun now out on this left-hand side as they combine with some lovely one-touch passing while throwing in the odd step over.
Some fans seem to making their way for the exits, with the tie wrapped up now. You’ve got to stay for the conclusion on a night like this though, haven’t you?
09:40 PM GMT
80 mins: Aston Villa 3 (6) Club Brugge 0 (1)
Villa go short before crossing the ball into the box and the inswinging delivery runs all the way through to Disasi, who clearly wasn’t expecting it, as the ball strikes his shoulder and goes over.
09:37 PM GMT
77 mins: Aston Villa 3 (6) Club Brugge 0 (1)
Villa combine nicely again in an and around the area and Rashford slides Ramsey in towards goal but a sliding challenge comes in and Villa have the corner.
The set-piece is cleared but the ball is worked to Tielemans who gets the ball out of his feet before letting fly and Mignolet is forced into a smart stop as he turns it behind for another corner.
09:34 PM GMT
WATCH: Asensio scores his second and Villa’s third
09:33 PM GMT
73 mins: Aston Villa 3 (6) Club Brugge 0 (1)
Brugge are just dropping into a five and a four now and it appears to be a case of damage limitation for the rest of this one.
Another change for Villa now as Disasi replaces Cash at right-back.
09:30 PM GMT
70 mins: Aston Villa 3 (6) Club Brugge 0 (1)
Matty Cash now fancies his chances and lets fly from the edge of the box and while he generates some good power, it’s straight at Mignolet who can parry away.
Brugge captain Vanaken then goes into the book for a late challenge on the Villa right-back.
09:28 PM GMT
Royal celebrations
09:26 PM GMT
67 mins: Aston Villa 3 (6) Club Brugge 0 (1)
A couple of changes for Villa now as Torres and Ramsey come on for Mings and Rogers.
In that flurry of Villa chances and goals, Brugge made four changes and they have now made their fifth and final change with Tzolis going off in place of Siquet.
09:24 PM GMT
GOAL! Asensio has his second and Villa’s third
Aston Villa 3 (6) Club Brugge 0 (1) (Asensio) It’s three and it’s that man again - Asensio has his second and Villa are running riot!
It’s roles reversed as Rogers slides Rashford into the left channel with a nicely-weighted ball in behind.
He has space to drive into the box and just before he reaches the by-line, he lays it on a plate for Asensio to slot home from close range. What an impact from the Spaniard!
09:20 PM GMT
New fan-favourite at Villa Park
They say don’t fall in love with loan players, but it’s too late for Villa fans. That’s Marco Asensio’s sixth goal since joining on loan from Paris Saint-Germain and the home supporters are singing his name. Unai Emery did not celebrate his goal at all, however, instead bowing his head and putting his hands in his pockets.
09:19 PM GMT
GOAL! Maatsen doubles Villa’s lead on the night
Aston Villa 2 (5) Club Brugge 0 (1) (Maatsen) Villa do now have their second and they are surely through to the last eight.
Rashford slips Rogers into the left of the box and he takes the ball to the by-line. The Englishman shows some lovely footwork before pulling the ball back to Maatsen on the edge of the six-yard box and he sweeps home.
There is a VAR check for whether Rogers was offside but the goal stands.
09:15 PM GMT
54 mins: Aston Villa 1 (4) Club Brugge 0 (1)
Oh it should be two for Asensio and for Villa! Rogers picks out his run down the middle with a lovely sweeping ball over the top.
The Spaniard plucks the ball out the air before looking to tuck home into the bottom left corner, giving the keeper the eyes as if he was going to go for the opposite side, but he drags it slightly and it strikes the upright.
09:12 PM GMT
GOAL! Asensio breaks the deadlock
Aston Villa 1 (4) Club Brugge 0 (1) (Asensio) Villa have the lead and it’s the two substitutes who combine.
The home side are probing in and around the penalty area before Bailey prods a chipped ball through to Asensio, who hooks home past Mignolet, on his weaker right foot.
That is his sixth goal in his last five appearances and he is absolutely flying at Villa Park!
09:09 PM GMT
49 mins: Aston Villa 0 (3) Club Brugge 0 (1)
Villa keep the pressure on and Rashford plays a ball into the box into the feet of Mings, who is yet again popping up in surprising positions.
But he looks a natural for that position as he swivels, shifting the ball onto his left foot, before striking high at the near post but the keeper saves.
09:08 PM GMT
48 mins: Aston Villa 0 (3) Club Brugge 0 (1)
It’s looking McGinn will drop deeper into a midfield two with Tielemans while Rogers will be on the left with Bailey on the right and Asensio in behind Rashford, who will lead the line.
Rashford makes a smart run in behind to earn an early corner in this second half. It’s worked short before the Englishman swings in a dangerous ball but Brugge head clear.
09:06 PM GMT
46 mins: Aston Villa 0 (3) Club Brugge 0 (1)
We are back underway at Villa Park with the home side kicking things off going from right to left.
Bailey has come on for the home side in place of Kamara while Asensio has also been introduced at the break in place of Watkins, who suffered a knock at the end of the first half.
No changes for the visitors.
09:04 PM GMT
Half-time changes coming
Looks like Leon Bailey will come on for Villa for the second half.
09:03 PM GMT
Half-time verdict
So far, so good for Villa. It’s been a pretty average performance, but they won’t care given they still have a two-goal lead and a man advantage.
Rashford was at the heart of Villa’s best work, getting in behind to earn the red card for Kyriani Sabbe and also missing a good chance.
The sending off did kill the atmosphere among the home crowd slightly and Unai Emery will still no doubt want his team to put the tie beyond doubt by scoring in the second half.
09:00 PM GMT
WATCH: Kyrian Sabbe’s dismissal
08:58 PM GMT
Quarter-final draw
Here’s the current quarter-final draw:
-
Paris St-Germain v Aston Villa or Club Brugge
-
Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid v PSV or Arsenal
-
Inter Milan v Bayern Munich
-
Borussia Dortmund v Barcelona
08:57 PM GMT
Elsewhere this evening
Elsewhere this evening, Conor Gallagher’s strike inside the opening minute has given Atletico Madrid a 1-0 lead over Real Madrid at half-time, meaning that tie is now 2-2 on aggregate.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are 2-1 up at home over PSV thanks to goals from Oleksandr Zinchenko and Declan Rice meaning they are 9-2 up over the two legs.
In this evening’s early tie, Borussia Dortmund beat Lille 2-1 away from home to progress to the quarter-finals with an aggregate score of 3-2.
08:50 PM GMT
Half-time: Aston Villa 0 (3) Club Brugge 0 (1)
Brugge knock the ball around for most of the remaining stoppage time but to no avail and the half-time whistle is blown with Aston Villa edging closer to the last eight.
They haven’t really got going in an attacking sense but with Brugge down to 10 men following Sabbe’s dismissal, Emery will just want defensive solidity as his his side look to close out this tie.
08:47 PM GMT
45+1 mins: Aston Villa 0 (3) Club Brugge 0 (1)
Villa keep the attack alive and Mings pops up on the ball down the home side’s left. He chips a deft pass inside for Rashford, who takes a smart first touch before looking to rifle home on the half-volley but his left-footed effort goes wide of the near post.
There will be three minutes added on at the end of this first half.
08:45 PM GMT
44 mins: Aston Villa 0 (3) Club Brugge 0 (1)
Watkins is back on for Villa but it will be interesting to see whether he emerges for the second half. With the game as it is, it’s probably not the evening to risk anything.
Konsa drives into midfield and wins the free-kick which McGinn swings into the box but the visitors are able to head clear.
08:43 PM GMT
42 mins: Aston Villa 0 (3) Club Brugge 0 (1)
De Cuyper plays a stray pass in midfield that Watkins can latch onto and the striker takes aim from halfway but it was the wrong move with players to his left as he scuffs his strike, which bounces into Mignolet’s arms.
Following Villa’s next attack Watkins goes down and is requiring some attention from the physios. He’s eventually back on his feet and is just testing his left leg out on the sideline so no change just yet from Emery.
08:37 PM GMT
37 mins: Aston Villa 0 (3) Club Brugge 0 (1)
Talbi cuts in from the right and takes aim from the edge of the box but his curling effort is too central and easy pickings for Martinez.
Maatsen and Rogers combine nicely to start a Villa move before the ball is worked back to the former but his effort from range balloons high and wide.
08:34 PM GMT
33 mins: Aston Villa 0 (3) Club Brugge 0 (1)
Watkins looks to be in on goal but Ordonez shows a great burst of pace to get past the Villa forward and clear the danger.
Rogers show some nice skill to spin De Cuyper and drive towards the box but the linesman flags, indicating Rogers had a hold of the Brugge’s man shirt.
08:29 PM GMT
27 mins: Aston Villa 0 (3) Club Brugge 0 (1)
Despite the man-deficit, it is still Brugge enjoying the majority of possession. De Cuyper plays a sublime ball in behind with the outside of his boot but Tzolis’ first touch sends it straight out for a goal-kick. Deserved better.
Although the visitors are having a lot of the ball, Villa do seem happy to let them have it as they shuffle around in their shape, ready to pounce on the counter.
08:24 PM GMT
Royalty in the building
Prince William is inside Villa Park tonight. He’s even wearing his free scarf!
08:23 PM GMT
22 mins: Aston Villa 0 (3) Club Brugge 0 (1)
From the resulting free-kick, it’s Tielemans who steps up but his curling effort, heading for the bottom left corner, is parried away by Mignolet.
That red card is a real shame for Brugge after a strong start here and also for the neutral with Villa’s task now seeming much simpler.
08:20 PM GMT
Rashford was waiting for that ball
Marcus Rashford had been standing on the shoulder of the Kyriani Sabbe every time Villa had the ball at the back just waiting for that ping over the top. When it came, from Emi Martinez, it worked a treat.
08:19 PM GMT
RED CARD! Sabbe dismissed as he pulls down Rashford
Aston Villa 0 (3) Club Brugge 0 (1) (Sabbe) Club Brugge’s challenge has just got a whole lot harder. Martinez goes route one as he pings a ball over the top for Rashford making the run inside from the left.
With the Englishman through on goal, Sabbe tugs on his shoulder, pulling him to the ground and after a moment of deliberation, the referee brandishes the red card.
08:16 PM GMT
15 mins: Aston Villa 0 (3) Club Brugge 0 (1)
Brugge win the corner down their right but before they can take it, Mignolet runs virtually the length of the pitch to pass on a message to a team-mate before retreating to his goal. Must have been important.
The corner comes to nothing.
08:15 PM GMT
14 mins: Aston Villa 0 (3) Club Brugge 0 (1)
Onyedika finds space in the box and works the room for the shot on his right foot but his curling effort, which looks set for the far right corner, is blocked by the head of Konsa.
Maatsen manages to pinch the ball high up the pitch and he feeds Rashford and while his first touch beats his man, it has too much weight on it and runs through to Mignolet.
08:11 PM GMT
Brugge fans in good spirits
Good English skills from the Brugge’s fans, who start singing ‘shall we sing a song for you’ at the Villa supporters.
08:10 PM GMT
10 mins: Aston Villa 0 (3) Club Brugge 0 (1)
Cash cuts out a ball into the box but then plays a really square pass across the face of the Villa area that is intercepted by Sabbe but his first-time effort sails over.
Moments later and Jashari delivers a sublime ball from the left and captain Vanaken gets in front of Mings to get his head on the ball but his effort glances wide of the right post. Sluggish start from Villa.
08:07 PM GMT
6 mins: Aston Villa 0 (3) Club Brugge 0 (1)
With the game approaching five minutes, Villa enjoy their first spell on the ball but Watkins gives it away, allowing Tzolis to bring it away down Brugge’s left.
The visitors are in no rush though and quickly recycle possession back to their back four as Villa settle into their shape.
08:04 PM GMT
Tielemans unpopular among visiting fans
Youri Tielemans’ name was loudly booed by the travelling Club Brugges fans inside Villa Park. The midfielder started his career at the Belgian club’s rivals Anderlecht.
08:03 PM GMT
3 mins: Aston Villa 0 (3) Club Brugge 0 (1)
It’s a patient start from the visitors as they knock the ball around their back line, with Villa not touching it inside the opening 90 seconds.
Brugge win the throw-in down their left and take the opportunity to hurl it into the box but Cash wins the header and the foul.
08:01 PM GMT
1 min: Aston Villa 0 (3) Club Brugge 0 (1)
We are underway at Villa Park with Brugge kicking things off going from right to left.
There is an incredible noise inside the stadium for this crucial evening.
07:58 PM GMT
Kick-off approaching
After a firework display fitting of the occasion, the players emerge from the tunnel to an electric Villa Park.
Will Aston Villa book their spot in the last eight of the Champions League or will Club Brugge produce an unlikely turnaround? The action begins shortly.
07:55 PM GMT
Villa’s potential route to Munich
With five minutes to go until kick-off, a reminder that the winner of this last 16 tie will take on Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals.
Victory against the French side would then set up a semi-final tie with either Arsenal, barring a PSV miracle in north London tonight, or one of the Madrid sides.
07:53 PM GMT
‘Still faith in dressing room’, says Brugge manager
Club Brugge manager Nicky Hayen has said: “You can feel in the dressing room that there is absolutely still faith. Is it going to be easy? Of course not, but in football we have already seen that everything is possible.
“We have to score, want to score and will present ourselves that way.
“In both games we had the chances to finish with a win. We have to play with courage, use spaces and above all deal with the chances more efficiently. Then you never know what can happen here.”
07:50 PM GMT
‘Anything is possible’, says Brugge midfiedler Jashari
Despite coming to Villa Park with a two-goal deficit, Club Brugge midfielder Ardon Jashari has said: “I certainly don’t think our campaign is over.
“We played really well against them last week, just like we did in November [beating Villa 1-0 in the league phase]. You never know in football, although we know it will be difficult, especially because they have a good reputation at home.
“I’m not going to put a percentage on it, but we have nothing to lose here and in football, ultimately, anything is possible.”
07:47 PM GMT
History on Villa’s side
Club Brugge have never won away in England in major European competition in 14 attempts.
Additionally, they have lost the first leg at home in six previous major European ties and have been eliminated on each occasion.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, have progressed from 12 of their previous 14 major European ties when they’ve won the first leg.
Villa will remain wary though, with Brugge beating Atalanta 3-1 in their last away game in the competition in the play-off round.
07:43 PM GMT
Dortmund through to last eight
Borussia Dortmund have beaten Lille 2-1 on the night meaning they have progressed through to the quarter-finals with a 3-2 win on aggregate. They will take on Barcelona in the last eight.
Here’s the updated quarter-final draw:
-
Paris St-Germain v Aston Villa or Club Brugge
-
Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid v PSV or Arsenal
-
Inter Milan v Bayern Munich
-
Borussia Dortmund v Barcelona
07:39 PM GMT
Final preparations
07:37 PM GMT
Redemption for Mings
Tonight’s game is the third meeting of the sides this season after they met in the league phase as well.
That clash was decided by a single goal and what a bizarre goal it was.
Brugge won the game thanks to a spot kick after Tyrone Mings picked the ball up inside his own area following a goal-kick.
However, there was a moment of redemption for the centre-half last week as he produced an outrageous goal-line clearance to keep the scores level before Villa went on to win the first leg.
07:33 PM GMT
Emery calls for ‘energy’ from fans
Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of kick-off, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has said: “We are playing at Villa Park with our supporters and it is going to be special. They have to try to transmit their energy to us and we have to do that as well. We have to try to show our best performance for them.
“Every match the objective is to try to get the performance and game plan for the full 90 minutes. The players in the starting eleven and also on the bench have to be ready.
“We have to respect the opponent. We are ready for 90 minutes, we are ready for a penalty shoot-out, and we need to be focused for the whole game. We want to dominate, win the duels and try to get something from the game.”
07:30 PM GMT
Asensio the super sub?
Marco Asensio has enjoyed a terrific start to life at Villa Park since signing on loan in January.
He has scored five times in his last four appearances, with braces coming against Chelsea and Cardiff before he crucially converted from the spot last time out against Brugge.
With three Champions League titles under his belt from his time at Real Madrid, it may be a surprise he isn’t starting this evening but given that his tally of 10 goals in the competition as a substitute is more than any other player, Emery may be looking to introduce the Spaniard later on.
07:26 PM GMT
In the zone
07:23 PM GMT
At stake for the winner
The winner of this last 16 tie will take on Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals following their penalty shoot-out victory over Liverpool last night.
Victory against the French side would then set up a semi-final tie with either Arsenal, barring a PSV miracle in north London tonight, or one of the Madrid sides.
07:19 PM GMT
Atmosphere building at Villa Park
07:15 PM GMT
Elsewhere this evening
In this evening’s early kick-off, Lille are hosting Borussia Dortmund after the sides drew 1-1 in the first leg and it’s the German side who lead 2-1 on the night.
At 8pm, Arsenal will hope to get through 90 minutes with as few complications as possible as they take on PSV Eindhoven at the Emirates with a whopping 7-1 lead from the first leg.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid will look to protect their 2-1 lead from the first leg as they make the trip across town for their second leg with Atletico Madrid.
07:11 PM GMT
Villa hoping for another big atmosphere
Villa have left scarves on the seats for all home fans to hold above their heads at kick-off to try to encourage another big European atmosphere.
Villa Park has been rocking for the Bayern Munich and Celtic games in the Champions League and the club obviously want more of the same to guard against any complacency with Unai Emery’s team leading 3-1 from the first leg.
07:09 PM GMT
Last night’s action
League-phase winners Liverpool were knocked out of the Champions League last night as they were beaten on penalties by Paris Saint-Germain.
The French side had triumphed 1-0 on the night through Ousmane Dembele’s first-half goal before Gianluigi Donnarumma became the hero as he saved spot kicks from Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones.
Elsewhere, Bayern Munich beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 on the night to complete a 5-0 hammering over two legs and set up a quarter-final clash with Inter after they brushed aside Feyenoord with a 2-1 win last night and a 4-1 scoreline overall.
In last night’s early kick-off, a brace from Raphinha and a wonderful strike from Lamine Yamal saw Barcelona beat Benfica 3-1 across 90 minutes and 4-1 on aggregate.
07:04 PM GMT
How the first leg unfolded
Two goals in the final 10 minutes saw Aston Villa take a 3-1 lead from last week’s first leg away at Club Brugge.
Leon Bailey had opened the scoring for Villa after just three minutes, but they were pegged back less than 10 minutes later through Maxim de Cuyper’s low strike.
The game looked destined to finish all square before a Brandon Mechele own goal and a Marco Asensio penalty saw Unai Emery’s men establish a two-goal advantage in the closing stages.
06:58 PM GMT
Those teams in full:
Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Maatsen; McGinn, Kamara, Tielemans; Rogers, Watkins Watkins.
Subs: Bogarde, Disasi, Torres, Onana, Bailey, Digne, Ramsey, Asensio, Zych, Olsen.
Club Brugge: Mignolet; Sabbe, Ordonez, Mechele, De Cuyper; Onyedika, Jashari; Talbi, Vanaken, Tzolis; Jutgla.
Subs: Campbell, De Corte, Jackers, Nielsen, Nilsson, Romero, Spileers, Siquet, Skoras, Vermant, Vetlesen.
06:54 PM GMT
Brugge unchanged
Nicky Haylen sticks with the same team which started in the win over Cercle Brugge on the weekend and the defeat against Aston Villa last week.
06:50 PM GMT
Five changes for Villa
Unai Emery has made five changes from the team which started in the win at Brentford on the weekend as Martinez, Cash, Maatsen, Kamara and Rashford are brought in, in place of Olsen, Disasi, Digne, Bailey and Ramsey.
06:46 PM GMT
‘Anything could happen’, says Emery
Discussing how Aston Villa were preparing for this evening’s match with a two-goal lead, manager Unai Emery said: “Nothing changes.
“We have our own experience, anything could happen because it’s football - the match can change so quickly.”
On how the club is performing, he said: “Our objective is to be consistently playing in Europe and the Champions League, there is a new demand - for the owners, the club and the supporters.
“My objective when I arrived was to contend for trophies and play in Europe - hopefully we continue, I want more.”
06:42 PM GMT
Important figures return for Villa
Unai Emery, speaking on Tuesday, confirmed that Marco Asensio, Amadou Onana and Emiliano Martinez would return after missing their win over Brentford on Saturday.
We will find out shortly which of the trio go straight into the starting line-up this evening.
06:38 PM GMT
Villa Park set for a historic evening
06:33 PM GMT
Preview: Villa look to seal spot in quarters
Good evening and welcome to live coverage of Aston Villa vs Club Brugge from the Uefa Champions League as Unai Emery’s men look to seal their spot in the quarter-finals. In what is their debut season in the competition and their first European Cup campaign in more than 40 years, Villa are on the brink of reaching the last eight after their 3-1 victory in Belgium in the first leg of the tie.
Following Paris Saint-Germain’s penalty-shootout victory over Liverpool on Tuesday night, Emery’s side remain just one of two British sides left in the competition and now know that progression past Brugge at Villa Park this evening will set up a clash with the French champions for a spot in the semi-finals.
They come into this evening in a good spell of form, with their 1-0 victory over Brentford on the weekend marking their third win in three in all competitions, conceding just one goal in that time, while they have lost just once in their last eight matches.
The Premier League outfit have benefited from the January acquisitions of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio on loan, with the latter scoring five times in his last four games and providing a boost this evening as he returns to the squad after being ruled out against Brentford through injury.
It was the Spaniard’s late penalty that provided Villa with their two-goal advantage heading into this evening. Leon Bailey opened the scoring for Emery’s men in Brugge after just three minutes before they were pegged back shortly after. However, Brandon Mechele’s own goal and Asensio’s spot kick in the final 10 minutes ensured the visitors have taken a healthy lead back to Villa Park.
