Italy-born Germany striker Nicolo Tresoldi has top-scored for Club Brugge with three so far in the Belgian Pro League, and he leads the hosts’ frontline with wingers Jan Virgili and Carlos Forbs coming into the XI to flank him. Veteran Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer makes his European debut for the club, as does former West Ham midfielder Freddie Potts after swapping claret and blue for Blue-Black this summer.
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ASTON VILLA SUBS: Marco Bizot, James Wright, Tyrone Mings, Ross Barkley, Matteo Ruggeri, Alejandro Garnacho, Tammy Abraham, Ibrahim Mbaye, Lamare Bogarde, Alysson.
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ASTON VILLA (4-2-3-1): Zion Suzuki; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen; Boubacar Kamara, Joao Gomes; John McGinn, Emiliano Buendia, George Hemmings; Nicolas Jackson.
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CLUB BRUGGE SUBS: Nordin Jackers, Argus Vanden Driessche, Cheveyo Tsawa, Romeo Vermant, Wisdom Mike, Hugo Siquet, Samba Coulibaly, Jorne Spileers, Lynnt Audoor, Mamadou Diakhon, Andrej Vasovic, Felix Lemarechal.
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CLUB BRUGGE (4-2-3-1): Yann Sommer; Kyriani Sabbe, Lee Han-Beom, Brandon Mechele, Joaquin Seys; Freddie Potts, Hans Vanaken; Carlos Forbs, Hugo Vetlesen, Jan Virgili; Nicolo Tresoldi.
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After winning last season’s Europa League title and finishing fourth in the Premier League table, Aston Villa’s start to the new campaign has been less than ideal. An impressive showing in their UEFA Super Cup defeat to PSG (2–1) has given way to two defeats and a draw in the league thus far, with Unai Emery’s new-look side yet to score a goal, losing 4–0 to Brighton on the opening day and drawing 0–0 with newly-promoted Hull last weekend.
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Belgian champions Club Brugge finished last season’s league phase in 19th spot – above the likes of Benfica, Marseille, Napoli and Ajax – but fell at the first hurdle of the knockouts, losing 7–4 on aggregate to Atletico Madrid in the last-16 play-offs. The Blauw-Zwart sit third in the early Pro League table with four wins, four clean sheets and a defeat apiece so far, beating Lommel SK 1–0 last time out.
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Hello, and welcome to live coverage of this fixture on matchday one of the new Champions League season, as Club Brugge and Aston Villa kick off their league stage campaigns at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
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Despite their chaotic start to the season, it’s still somewhat surprising to see Aston Villa come into this game as underdogs in our live probability tracker, which gives the visitors a 36.7% chance of victory ahead of kick-off in Belgium. Hosts Club Brugge are only slightly in front of them with a 37.4% win probability rating, but they’ll be full of confidence that they can get off to a winning start against Unai Emery’s out-of-form side!
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Unai Emery’s squad depth has been severely tested early in the new season with Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa, Emi Martinez and Ollie Watkins all departing Villa among others this summer, and a number of new faces make their European bows. Matty Cash has joined a lengthy injury list at Villa Park, meaning Aaron Wan-Bissaka comes into the defence alongside Pau Torres, with Joao Gomes starting in midfield following his short-lived debut to forget against Brighton.
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Jackson kicks things off for Aston Villa in Bruges, as the second city side look to put their early-season Premier League woes behind them!
1'
WIDE!!! An early sighter for Aston Villa!! Wan-Bissaka works his way up the right flank before linking up with McGinn in the box, and he in turn tees Buendia up for a first-time strike. The Argentine obliges with a right-footed effort, but can only curl it just wide of the near post!
2'
BLOCKED!! McGinn swings an early free-kick into the Brugge box from the right-hand side, which is headed half-clear by Lee for the hosts. Maatsen follows in with a half-volleyed snap-shot from the edge of the box, but Forbs gets in the way of it!
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All three meetings between these two sides came in Aston Villa’s most recent Champions League campaign, just two seasons ago. Club Brugge won their league phase meeting 1–0, but lost both legs to Unai Emery’s side (3–1 at home, 3–0 away) in the round of 16.
6'
Yellow Card Ian Maatsen
9'
Virgili links up with Seys on an overlapping run and plays the left-back in behind, but Seys' byline cross is headed behind by Torres as Villa concede the game's first corner.
7'
Goal John McGinn
11'
Assist Pau Torres
11'
After Virgili races around the outside of Wan-Bissaka down the left, Forbs attempts to do the same down the opposite flank but is stopped in his tracks by Maatsen. The Villa left-back appeals for a throw-in but is denied, and is then booked by the referee for dissent after protesting the linesman's decision.
9'
GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLL!!!! Lift-off in Europe for Aston Villa!
11'
GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLL!!!! Lift-off in Europe for Aston Villa! Their captain comes up trumps again with a wonderful finish, following a surging run up the middle by Torres! The centre-back sets off on a surging drive that takes him through two lines of Brugge defenders, before passing wide for McGinn in the box. Goals have been hard to come by for Villa this season, but the skipper makes no mistake, curling a first-time, left-footed strike right across the face of goal, beating Sommer to find the far corner and make it 1–0 to the Villans!
11'
Torres took off and looked simply unstoppable there, with a run that was made even better by McGinn's nonchalant finish into the far corner!
11'
SAVED!!! Already Aston Villa are turning the screw here! They straight back onto the attack as Hemmings and Jackson link up down the left, with the latter leaving Lee on the deck as he races into the box. Jackson squares for Hemmings and the young winger shoots, only to be denied by Sommer tipping the ball beyond his back post!
13'
SAVED!!! Already Aston Villa are turning the screw here! They straight back onto the attack as Hemmings and Jackson link up down the left, with the latter leaving Lee on the deck as he races into the box. Jackson squares for Hemmings and the young winger shoots, only to be denied by Sommer tipping the ball beyond his back post!
12'
SAVED!! McGinn swings in the Villa corner and Kamara meets it at the near post, seeing his glancing header saved by Sommer. The Club Brugge keeper rushes out looking to set his side away with a quick throw, but accidentally handles outside of his box and concedes a free-kick!
13'
BLOCKED!! Buendia steps up to strike Villa's free-kick, but his attempted placed finish is thwarted by a well-timed jump from the hosts' defensive wall!
14'
Goal Hugo Vetlesen
19'
WIDE!!! What a chance for Villa to double their lead!! A loose ball breaks kindly for Joao Gomes, who bursts into the box and has Hemmings in support. He finds his winger, but the youngster snatches at a rushed shot and can only steer it wide of the mark!
15'
Assist Jan Virgili
19'
Aston Villa have racked up as many big chances inside the opening 15 minutes of this game (two), as they managed across all three of their opening Premier League matches this season.
17'
GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLL!!! Club Brugge are back on terms!!!
19'
Goal Emiliano Buendía
22'
Assist João Victor Gomes da Silva
22'
GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLL!!! Club Brugge are back on terms!!! After Sabbe's first-time strike towards Suzuki's goal is blocked away from danger, Forbs and Virgili both follow up with crosses from either flank. The latter cuts inside Wan-Bissaka to send a low ball into the centre, where Vetlesen arrives with perfect timing to slot a low, left-footed finish across Suzuki and into the far corner! 1–1 in Bruges, and we've got a game on our hands here!
19'
A perfectly-weighted low pass from Virgili, as Vetlesen arrived with the timing and accuracy that all number tens dream of!
19'
GOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!! The visitors restore their lead in no time at all!!
22'
Suzuki is the first Japanese goalkeeper to appear in the Champions League – having also become the first to do so in the Premier League earlier this season.
20'
Joao Gomes' Champions League debut is already going much better than his Premier League bow for Villa – it was a low benchmark, but an early assist (and other chances created) will certainly help to settle the visitors' nerves!
22'
Having netted a glorious strike to finish off Freiburg in last season's Europa League Final, Buendia has now scored in three consecutive major European – having only netted in two of his first 19 such games on the continent.
24'
Potts has certainly put himself about for Club Brugge so far, and wins a free-kick for the hosts on halfway after being clipped by fellow English youngster Hemmings.
26'
Aston Villa skipper McGinn is now the club's all-time leading scorer in major European competitions, with 12 goals – one ahead of the now-departed Ollie Watkins.
28'
BLOCKED!! McGinn, Wan-Bissaka, Jackson and Hemmings all contribute towards a well-worked Aston Villa counter-attack, with the latter driving towards the edge of Brugge's box. Hemmings hits an optimistic effort goalwards, but Lee gets in the way once more!
30'
SAVED!! Another Aston Villa break is forged by Jackson's turning speed, and he beats Mechele all ends up before finding McGinn in support. The Scot steps inside and shoots left-footed, but his 20-yard effort is palmed away from goal by Sommer!
32'
Hemmings has a fraction of space to shoot inside the box and lets fly, only for Lee to once again block his path and deflect the effort wide of the near post's side netting for an Aston Villa corner.
33'
WIDE!!! Virgili leaves McGinn in his wake as he darts around the outside once again and gets a shot away, but his left-footed effort from a tight angle is lashed into Suzuki's side-netting!
35'
Aston Villa have now recorded 10 shots in the first half of a Champions League match for the first time ever – it's also the first time the Villans have managed five shots on target in the opening 45 minutes, and we've still got at least 10 of those minutes to play.
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Aston Villa have recorded 10 shots in the first half of a Champions League match for the first time ever – it's also the first time the Villans have managed five shots on target in the opening 45 minutes, and we've still got at least 10 of those minutes to play.
37'
Jackson loses out to Mechele in midfield, allowing Club Brugge to break forwards with an attack that culminates with Kamara heading Virgili's cross behind for a corner. Seys' delivery is headed away as far as Forbs, but the winger completely mis-times his half-volley from the edge of the box, and skews it nowhere near the intended target!
39'
WIDE!! Villa win an attacking free-kick which McGinn plays short to Wan-Bissaka on the right, and his cross into the box is met by a deft, hooked volley from Jackson, which sails across the face of goal and wide!
40'
Goal Nicolas Jackson
43'
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!!! Jackson opens his account for Aston Villa!
43'
Assist Pau Torres
43'
SAVED!! Torres misplaces a pass straight into Vanaken's path, and the Club Brugge captain wastes no time in finding Forbs ahead of him. The ex-Wolves winger shoots early from the edge of the box, but Suzuki beats his effort away from danger!
42'
Torres gets his second assist of the half for Aston Villa, although it's unlikely he intended to turn that clearance into such a clear-cut chance for Jackson!
43'
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!!! Jackson opens his account with an absolute gift for Aston Villa! A Club Brugge attack is halted by Torres, who quickly sends a clearance into the hosts' half that draws Sommer well out of his box. Jackson gets to the throughball first and nods it beyond the stranded goalkeeper, running in behind and tapping into the empty net to make it 3–1!
43'
We're into the first of two added minutes at Jan Breydel Stadium, where Aston Villa have finally found their goalscoring groove after an otherwise miserable start to the new season.
45'
SAVED!!! The Lions' tails are well and truly up now!! A misplaced pass across the hosts' defensive line is seized upon by McGinn, who spots Sommer off his line again and goes for the spectacular from just inside halfway. The 50-yard effort is drifting just off target, but that doesn't stop Sommer racing back to make a panicked, two-handed save!
45'
HALF-TIME: CLUB BRUGGE 1–3 ASTON VILLA.
45'
Substitution Kyriani Sabbe Hugo Siquet
46'
McGinn has led from the front for Aston Villa, scoring their first goal since the UEFA Super Cup Final and managing another on-target effort from three touches in the box. Villa's captain has created two further chances from four final-third passes, won three of his six duels so far, and won possession with two tackles and an interception apiece. Skip.
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Club Brugge will look to weather Villa's storm with one defensive change at half-time, as Sabbe is replaced at right-back by Hugo Siquet.
46'
Yellow Card Hans Vanaken
48'
Aston Villa have spun the pre-match prediction on its head with that dominant first-half display, leaving them with an 86.3% chance of victory as the teams head back out for the second half. Club Brugge's win probability rating has plummeted to just 3.2% by comparison, but after having numerous chances of their own so far, will still be confident of getting something as Vanaken resumes proceedings for the hosts!
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Vanaken latches onto successive smart passes from Potts and Virgili before going down under pressure from Joao Gomes in the box, but there's not enough contact to give a penalty, and the referee instead books Vanaken for simulation!
48'
Aston Villa have spun the pre-match prediction on its head with that dominant first-half display, leaving them with an 86.3% chance of victory as the teams head back out for the second half. Club Brugge's win probability rating has plummeted to just 3.2% by comparison, but after having numerous chances of their own so far, will still be confident of getting something as Vanaken resumes proceedings for the hosts!
46'
OVER!! Torres plays another pass clean through the heart of Club Brugge's defence with McGinn making a diagonal run, but the skipper's 20-yard shot is far too high and sails over the crossbar!
49'
Today is only the third time that Aston Villa have scored three goals in the first half of a European Cup/Champions League match (and the first away from home), after doing so in September 1981 against Valur and September 1982 v Besiktas.
51'
A slip from Jackson allows Potts to pounce and Vetlesen plays Forbs into space down the right-hand side, but he's forced wide to the byline by Maatsen and the Aston Villa left-back's block allows Suzuki to claim Forbs' cross untested.
53'
CHANCE!! Virgili advances into space on the left-hand side again and links up with Tresoldi ahead of him, but the striker's back-heeled ball back to Virgili is deflected and Suzuki scrambles to snuff the chance out!
55'
Penalty Goal Nicolò Tresoldi
61'
In the other net, Sommer has become just the second goalkeeper to represent five clubs in the Champions League – Basel, Borussia Monchengladbach, Bayern Munich, Inter and Club Brugge – after Morgan de Sanctis (Udinese, Sevilla, Napoli, Roma and Monaco).
57'
BLOCKED!! Vetlesen's right-sided cross is glanced on by Tresoldi and comes for Seys at the far post, and he looks to keep the chance alive with another ball in from the byline. It strikes the incoming Wan-Bisska, with Club Brugge players and fans alike all calling for a penalty!
59'
Yellow Card Jan Virgili
62'
PENALTY TO THE HOSTS!! Club Brugge do get their spot-kick following a brief VAR review, which shows Wan-Bissaka's outstretched arm moving into the path of the ball as Seys crossed it. Brugge have another chance from 12 yards, meaning it could soon be game-on once again here!
60'
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAALLLL!!! Tresoldi makes no mistake from the spot!
61'
GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAALLLL!!! Tresoldi makes no mistake from the spot! Seen as the future of either Germany or potentially Italy's attack, Tresoldi steps up from 12 yards and rolls the ball into the bottom-right corner, sending Suzuki the wrong way and narrowing Aston Villa's lead to 3–2 in Bruges!
61'
Straight from the restart, Virgili loses out in a duel with McGinn and keeps close tabs on the Aston Villa captain, dragging him down from behind to earn a fairly needless yellow card!
62'
Tresoldi has now scored twice as many Champions League goals as any other Club Brugge player since the start of last season, with four in total.
64'
CHANCE!! Virgili slips Seys in behind Villa's defence once again and the full-back flashes a low ball across the face of goal, but Tresoldi can't quite meet it cleanly at the near post and Wan-Bissaka smashes the loose cross clear!
65'
Substitution Boubacar Kamara Ross Barkley
68'
Substitution Emiliano Buendía Alysson Edward Franco da Rocha dos Santos
68'
Substitution Aaron Wan-Bissaka Lamare Bogarde
68'
CHANCE!! Siquet stands up a far-post cross towards the unmarked, advanced Mechele at Aston Villa's far post, but the defender can't compose himself in time and fails to test Suzuki with a tame header!
66'
Unai Emery knows this game has undergone a serious shift in momentum and responds with three Aston Villa changes; the first seeing Wan-Bissaka replaced at right-back by Lamare Bogarde.
68'
SAVED!!! Kamara makes a brilliant block to deny Seys' half-volley from just inside the box, but Club Brugge keep on throwing numbers forward as Forbs tees up Vetlesen on the right. The equalising goalscorer goes for another with a low, left-footed strike through the crowd, which Suzuki sees late but still manages to claw behind for a corner!
67'
Buendia's first-half goal put Villa back into the lead amid a surge of Club Brugge chances, and Emery needs Alysson to have a similar impact as he replaces his starting number 10 with the young Brazilian.
68'
Ross Barkley will also come on at the base of Villa's midfield, replacing Kamara next to Joao Gomes in the double-pivot.
68'
SAVED!!! Siquet's corner is inch-perfectly accurate at the near post and catches Aston Villa napping, with Suzuki forced into action as Tresoldi almost squeezes a close-range header right past him!
69'
OFF THE WOODWORK!!! Siquet's corner is inch-perfectly accurate at the near post and catches Aston Villa napping, with Suzuki forced into action as Tresoldi almost squeezes a close-range header in off the upright and past him!
69'
SAVED!!! McGinn makes his way forward again and slots a pass through for Jackson to escape the defence, but the surging striker's left-footed effort is straight down Sommer's throat!
70'
Substitution Hugo Vetlesen Félix Lemaréchal
77'
Substitution Hans Vanaken Cheveyo Tsawa
77'
Yellow Card John McGinn
78'
Liverpool – against Sevilla in November 2017 – are the last English team to lead by two or more goals at half-time of a Champions League game and fail to win, surrendering a three-goal lead to draw 3–3.
74'
CHANCE!! Hemmings and Maatsen combine down the left before the former drills a low ball right across the face of goal, which Alysson chases but can't quite reach at the far post, failing to arrive in time to take his chance before fouling Seys to gift Brugge a free-kick!
72'
BLOCKED!! Alysson collects a low, cross-field pass from McGinn and sets off on a mazy run into the box, twice cutting inside Seys before finding his path and subsequent shot blocked by a wall of Blauw-Zwart shirts!
76'
Substitution Nicolas Jackson Tammy Abraham
81'
Felix Lemarechal will also enter the fray in place of goalscorer Vetlesen for Club Brugge, coming on as the hosts' most advanced central midfielder.
77'
The hosts make their first changes since half-time with two at once in midfield, with booked skipper Vanaken withdrawn for Cheveyo Tsawa to come on.
77'
McGinn is bundled to the ground legally by Potts but is soon back on his feet and cynically tripping Lemarechal from behind, picking up a late yellow card with Aston Villa clinging on.
78'
BLOCKED!!! Alysson's half-volley at the far post is blocked behind for a corner by Seys, which Club Brugge clear at the first time of asking. Back come Villa through Joao Gomes, however, who surges in-field from the left, cuts inside in the box, and curls a shot goalwards which Lee deflects behind!
80'
Substitution Jan Virgili Mamadou Diakhon
86'
Substitution Freddie Potts Romeo Vermant
86'
Jackson's off the mark in an Aston Villa shirt, but comes off now for Tammy Abraham to see the game out as the visitors' line-leader in attack.
81'
OFF THE LINE!! That could've sewn things up for Villa! They play their latest corner short and McGinn cuts back a square ball from the byline, which Bogarde arrives onto late with a low shot through the crowd that Seys somehow hooks off the line with Sommer beaten!
81'
Only against Zrinjski Mostar in the 2023-24 UEFA Conference League (27) have Aston Villa recorded more shots on record in major European competition (since 2009-10), with 21 and counting so far in this game.
83'
Yellow Card Romeo Vermant
89'
Yellow Card João Victor Gomes da Silva
89'
CHANCE!!! Barkley's stray pass from Suzuki's clearance almost lands the Villans in all sorts of trouble, but Tresoldi can't take Virgili's throughball cleanly on the turn and Joao Gomes comes away with it!
84'
Mamadou Diakhon will also replace Virgili out wide, as Club Brugge launch one last push to try and find an equaliser in this game.
86'
Two more late changes coming for the hosts, with Potts replaced by the much more attack-minded Romeo Vermant.
86'
Club Brugge have only won one of their last 17 games against English sides in major European competition, losing 13, although that lone victory did come in a Champions League home game against Aston Villa (1–0 in November 2024).
87'
Vermant's on the end of a similar foul as he looks to find some space down the left-hand side for Club Brugge, with Joao Gomes taking him to ground and being booked as a result.
89'
Hemmings sets off on a potential break for Villa before being hauled down on halfway by Vermant, who picks up a textbook yellow card for the professional foul.
89'
Lineups
Club Brugge (4-2-3-1) coached by Ivan Leko
Yann Sommer, Joaquin Seys, Brandon Mechele, Han-beom Lee, Kyriani Sabbe, Hans Vanaken, Freddie Potts, Jan Virgili, Hugo Vetlesen, Carlos Forbs, Nicolò Tresoldi
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1) coached by Unai Emery
Zion Suzuki, Ian Maatsen, Pau Torres, Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, João Gomes, Boubacar Kamara, George Hemmings, Emilliano Buendía, John McGinn, Nicolas Jackson