A Champions League win for Club Brugge, as it proved the better of Aston Villa at Jan Breydel. Creating a number of fine chances in the first half, Club saw its efforts awarded early in the second half as Vanaken capitalised on an extraordinary Mings fumble from the spot. Club managed to keep the Villans at bay for the remainder of the game, cruising towards a well-deserved three points.
The team that had earned that gratifying win at Leuven was changed in three positions, as Joaquin Seys reclaimed his place at right back at the expense of Kyriani Sabbe, Casper Nielsen came on for the suspended Onyedika, and Ferran Jutglà was preferred over Vermant up front. Two minutes in, Club stuck its nose against the window a first time, but a threatening cross by Tzolis did not connect to any team mate. On the other side of the pitch, an awaiting Villa also pushed on, but Ordóñez defended well to deny Watkins from having a crack at it.
With a focus mainly on defending, the visitors from Birmingham did not put any risk into their attacking game, and more than long range attempts by Tielemans or Rogers was not in it. Club also tried from afar through De Cuyper and a throughball by Ordóñez just missing out on putting Jutglà through on goal. Club was in charge, but the best chance was for the Villans: ball loss lead the ball to Watkins who tried beating Mignolet with a hard shot, but the attempt went just wide of the post. A bit later McGinn was unable to put enough curl on his header, while Martinez was also in the way of Ordóñez shot from a distance.
That same Martinez proved instrumental to keeping the score at 0-0 a bit later, first tapping a Jutglà against the post, and in the rebound showing why he is still the best goalie in the world, stretching to deny Tzolis from opening the score. Five minutes later another double chance for Club: Nielsen's header seemed goalbound but was cleared from the goal line by Mings, and straight after that Martinez got hold of Jashari's volley in two gos. A deflected shot by Rogers going over, and a shot by McGinn straight at Mignolet were the sole chances left for Villa before heading for the dressing rooms.
Just like in earlier CL encounters this season, Club Brugge should have done better with the chances it had created, but this time help came from the most unexpected of manners. Martinez trying to play it fast from a goal kick towards Tyrone Mings, but the latter picked up the ball with his hand, pushing it back to the goalie inside the box. Ref Stieler could only point towards the spot, Hans Vanaken getting behind the ball, and those who are familiar with Club Brugge penalty kicks know what that usually means. Wrongfooting Martinez, Vanaken tapped in the spot kick, putting Club in the lead with over half an hour to go. The visitors surely did not see this coming, and more chances followed for Club as De Cuyper's cross was not meticulous enough to reach Skov Olsen, and Martinez easily grabbed Nielsen's header.
Club remained in its focused ways, trying to lure on the break. A shot by Skov Olsen got deflected into corner kick, while another attempt by the Dane flew high over. Meijer, just in, alsot tried his luck, but the ball also went wide. On the other side of the pitch, Maatsen aimed over, and a low shot by Kamara also missed target. Unable to rattle Club's cage, Aston Villa proved hapless and could not avoid a first defeat in this Champions League season. A well deserved win for Blue & Black, and with six out of 12 the team does a great job in the CL table.
UEFA Champions League – Match Day 4
Audience: 23,466– Jan Breydel Stadium
Ref: Mr. Tobias Stieler (Dui)
Club Brugge: Simon Mignolet – Joaquin Seys, Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, Maxim De Cuyper - Casper Nielsen (75’ Hugo Vetlesen), Ardon Jashari, Hans Vanaken – Andreas Skov Olsen (72’ Chemsdine Talbi), Ferran Jutglà (90’ Romeo Vermant), Christos Tzolis (75’ Bjorn Meijer).
Bench: Nordin Jackers, Zaid Romero, Michał Skóraś, Hugo Siquet, Jorne Spileers and Kyriani Sabbe. Coach: Nicky Hayen.
Aston Villa: Emiliano Martinez – Ezri Konsa, Diego Carlos (80’ Kosta Nedeljkovic), Tyrone Mings (66’ Pau Torres), Ian Maatsen –John McGinn (57’ Jhon Duran), Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers (66’ Jacob Ramsey), Leon Bailey - Ollie Watkins (80’ Emiliano Buendia). Coach: Unai Emery.
Yellow: Nielsen, Mings, Diego Carlos, Vetlesen, Kamara, Konsa.
Red: none
Goal: 52’ Vanaken (penalty, 1-0).