Leon Bailey opened the scoring for Aston Villa. (Image: Getty)
took an almighty step towards the quarter-finals by beating Club Brugge 3-1 at Jan Breydel Stadium on Tuesday evening. Leon Bailey fired the visitors into a third-minute lead with a thunderous volley before Brugge left-back Maxim De Cuyper equalised less than 10 minutes later.
Centre-back Brandon Mechele deflected Morgan Rogers’ cross past a helpless Simon Mignolet late on to restore Villa’s lead. Marco Asensio then added a third with two minutes to play, continuing his scoring streak from the penalty spot.
Express Sport runs through the Villa player ratings from a colossal victory in Belgium.
Aston Villa player ratings vs Club Brugge
Emiliano Martinez: 7
Villa’s goalkeeper had very little to do on a night where both teams left their shooting boots at home. Produced a huge save on the half-hour mark to keep the score level.
Axel Disasi: 6
Dominant in the air but offered little going forward in an unnatural right-back position. Brugge’s equaliser came from his side.
Ezri Konsa: 6
The inferior of Villa’s two centre-backs, which could give England manager Thomas Tuchel something to think about ahead of his first squad selection.
Tyrone Mings: 8
Redemption at both ends after his penalty blunder handed Brugge a 1-0 win against Villa in the league phase. Set up Bailey’s opener by rising highest at a free-kick. Somehow directed Hans Vanaken’s goal-bound header past the post with the score at 1-1.
Lucas Digne: 6
Offered an outlet down the left flank and very safe in possession, completing over 90 per cent of his passes.
Maxim De Cuyper equalised for the hosts. (Image: Getty)
John McGinn: 5
A quiet night from Villa’s captain, taking just 36 touches in midfield before leaving the pitch after the hour mark.
Youri Tielemans: 7
Far more involved than his midfield partner, winning all three of his ground duels.
Leon Bailey: 8
Started the scoring by flaunting immense technique to strike a volley past Mignolet and was Villa’s most lively attacker by a distance, creating another chance himself.
Morgan Rogers: 6
A fairly silent night before his cross created Villa’s second go-ahead goal. Never shied away from attempting to beat his man, injecting much-needed energy into a laboured attacking display.
Marcus Rashford: 4
No goals in his first seven Villa appearances, and that didn’t look like changing tonight. Should’ve been chomping at the bit to return to Champions League knockout action but lacked the impetus he has shown in his previous outings. Hooked on 64 minutes.
Ollie Watkins: 3
You would’ve been forgiven for forgetting he was on the pitch before he trudged off on the brink of stoppage time. Won just one of his six duels and recorded just one shot.
Substitutes
Matty Cash: 7
Made a big impact after replacing Disasi.
Jacob Ramsey: 7
Another bright cameo among Emery’s substitutes.
Boubacar Kamara: 6
Added stability to Villa’s midfield.
Marco Asensio: 7
Stepped up for the penalty instead of Watkins. Scored his fifth goal in four appearances. The three-time Champions League winner’s January arrival looks like a masterstroke.
Lamare Bogarde: N/A
Replaced the ineffective Watkins at the death.