Aston Villa take a two-goal lead into tonight’s Champions League last-16 second leg against Club Brugge as Unai Emery’s side look to finish the job and set up a quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
Villa rode their luck at times in last week’s first leg in Belgium, only to come away with an impressive 3-1 win after an astonishing goal-line clearance from Tyrone Mings and a late Marco Asensio penalty.
Reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League would be a remarkable achievement for Villa, who were still playing in the Championship six years ago, and a clash with PSG, who defeated Liverpool in the last-16, would set up a special end to the season.
But Emery’s side were given a warning by Club Brugge last week and were arguably second-best on the night. It gives the hosts a huge advantage as they return to Villa Park. Follow updates from Aston Villa vs Club Brugge in our live blog below:
Aston Villa 0-0 Club Brugge
21 mins: The tension in this tie, which was building in the opening 15 minutes, has all but evaporated after that red card for Brugge.
Prince William is at Villa Park watching on as Villa look to reach the semi-finals.
Jamie Braidwood12 March 2025 20:24
Aston Villa 0-0 Club Brugge
18 mins: SAVE! Mignolet denies Tielemans’ free-kick, which went through the wall and had to be dealt with.
A huge boost to Villa, who were favourites to progress anyway. Club Brugge will need a miracle to come from two goals down with 10 men.
Jamie Braidwood12 March 2025 20:20
RED CARD! Aston Villa 0-0 Club Brugge
15 mins: RED CARD FOR CLUB BRUGGE!
Martinez’s long pass to Rashford breaks the line – it’s a brilliant ball and Rashford beats Sabbe in the foot race. It’s outside the box and Sabbe has to go after tugging Rashford to ground!
Brugge, who have started the better team, are down to 10 men!
Jamie Braidwood12 March 2025 20:18
Aston Villa 0-0 Club Brugge
14 mins: Sabbi’s cross is headed behind by Konsa. Brugge had numbers out wide but will settle for the corner.
Villa clear but it’s Brugge who have started with 66% of the possession in the first 15 minutes.
Jamie Braidwood12 March 2025 20:15
Aston Villa 0-0 Club Brugge
12 min: Brugge have sprung a shock or two already in this season’s Champions League and they have started positively in their bid for another. Villa may be caught between two minds, wondering how attacking and how defensive to be, to go for another goal or to bank on progress via a clean sheet. So far, much of the game has been played in their half.
Richard Jolly12 March 2025 20:13
Aston Villa 0-0 Club Brugge
11 mins: It’s been a very good opening spell from Club Brugge. Let’s not forget that they were arguably the best team on the night in last week’s first leg. Onyedika’s shot is blocked by Konsa, with Villa on the back foot early on.
Jamie Braidwood12 March 2025 20:11
Aston Villa 0-0 Club Brugge
9 mins: Chance! Decent move again from Brugge. De Cuyper’s early cross finds the captain Vanaken , who gets across Mings. His header is swept across goal and wide.
Jamie Braidwood12 March 2025 20:10
Aston Villa 0-0 Club Brugge
6 mins: Shot! Good switch from Brugge, over to the wing-back De Cuyper. Cash plays a risky pass infield and Sabbe tries his luck from the edge of the box but shoots over.
Jamie Braidwood12 March 2025 20:08
Aston Villa 0-0 Club Brugge
4 mins: Interesting to see Maatsen get the call tonight. He was a Champions League finalist with Borussia Dortmund last season. Hasn’t quite hit the ground running on his first season at Villa. .
Jamie Braidwood12 March 2025 20:05
Aston Villa 0-0 Club Brugge
2 mins: Not quite the same start as in Madrid, where Atletico have scored inside 20 seconds against the holders…
Club Brugge start off with plenty of the ball. A long throw is cleared after a foul on Cash.
Jamie Braidwood12 March 2025 20:03
