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Match Preview for Club Brugge v Aston Villa
Uni Emery’s side are still fighting on three fronts and their bid to land a first FA Cup crown since 1957 gathered pace on Friday night when they eased past Cardiff City 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals, where they will take on another Championship side in Preston North End.
Villa are 10th in the Premier League after one win in their last seven but sit just five points off fourth place and still in with a chance of returning to Europe’s top table again next season.
The most immediate concern, however, is the trip to the Jan Breydelstadion to face a Club Brugge side that should not be underestimated.
Nicky Hayen’s side missed out on automatic qualification for this stage and were not fancied to come through a two-legged tie against Europa League champions and Serie A high-flyers Atalanta.
But a superb home-and-away performance saw them emerge 5-2 aggregate winners.
If that wasn’t enough of an eye-opener for Villa, Club Brugge also won their most recent meeting, beating Emerys men 1-0 in the group phase on November 6.
The First Division A side have lost just one of their last seven games in all competitions and were denied a 1-0 win at Gent at the weekend after the home side scored a last-minute equaliser.
A six goal thriller to secure our place in the top-eight of the league phase 💥
Club Brugge up next in the knockouts 🤜 pic.twitter.com/OcNwEqWJcW
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) March 2, 2025
Team News for Club Brugge v Aston Villa
Argentinian World Cup-winner Emiliano Martinez returned in goal for the win over Cardiff and he will retain his place between the sticks.
Villa remain short of defensive options, though. Tyrone Mings is likely to miss out once again, although the on-loan Axel Disasi will return.
Disasi could start at right-back with Lamare Bogarde continuing to stand in alongside Ezri Konsa in the centre.
Boubacar Kamara is available once again but will likely have to make do with a place on the bench with Youri Tielemans and John McGinn continuing their partnership in midfield.
Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio are also set to start.
The hosts’ worries surround Raphael Onyedika and Joaquin Seys.
Full-back Seys has a hamstring problem while midfielder Onyedika missed the Gent game with an undisclosed injury.
Expected line-ups for Club Brugge v Aston Villa
Club Brugge: Mignolet; Sabbe, Ordóñez, Mechele, De Cuyper; Vetlesen, Jashari, Vanaken; Talbi, Tzolis; Jutglà
Aston Villa: Martínez; Disasi, Konsa, Bogarde, Digne; McGinn, Tielemans; Rashford, Rogers, Asensio; Watkins
How to watch Club Brugge v Aston Villa: TV channel, online live stream
The game can be watched on TNT Sports in the UK. Kick-off is at 17:45 UK time on TNT Sports 1, with live coverage beginning at 17:00.
You can stream the game on Discovery+.
Pre warming up. 🌞 #CLUAVL #UCL pic.twitter.com/DQvsOGneLh
— Club Brugge KV (@ClubBrugge) March 3, 2025
The Stats for Club Brugge v Aston Villa
- In 8 of the last 9 Club Brugge home matches in the Champions League, the total number of goals was under 3.5
- Ferran Jutglà has scored in four of Club Brugge’s last five competitive games.
- In 8 of the last 10 Aston Villa away matches the total number of goals was under 3.5
- Villa have lost their last three away games
- Villa have won just two of their last 12 away games in all competitions
Prediction for Club Brugge v Aston Villa
Club Brugge certainly won’t be overawed at the thought of taking on Villa, having beaten them earlier this season.
And Villa’s form has been patchy at best – good displays against Liverpool and Chelsea offset by a poor performance at Crystal Palace.
We think the Belgians will get something from the game to take to Birmingham for the second leg next week.
Prediction: Club Brugge 1-1 Aston Villa
