Aston Villa survive Club Brugge test to win Champions League opener

Aston Villa ended their early-season scoring drought in dramatic fashion as they held on for a 3-2 victory over Club Brugge in their UEFA Champions League opener in Belgium on Tuesday.

The English side had failed to score in each of their first three Premier League matches of the campaign, but they struck three times in a fast-paced opening half to establish a commanding position.

Villa captain John McGinn opened the scoring after 11 minutes with a composed first-time finish. Pau Torres drove forward from defence before creating the opportunity, and McGinn side-footed the ball into the bottom-left corner.

Club Brugge responded eight minutes later when Hugo Vetlesen levelled the contest, but Aston Villa restored their advantage almost immediately.

Emiliano Buendia put the visitors back in front just three minutes after the equaliser, ensuring Villa regained the momentum in a first half that continued at a relentless pace.

The visitors added a third before the break through Nicolas Jackson. The striker attempted to run on to a long pass from Torres and reached the ball before Club Brugge goalkeeper Yann Sommer. Jackson then finished into an unguarded net to register his first goal since completing a club-record £65m move.

That three-goal first half gave last season’s Europa League winners a significant advantage, but Club Brugge remained a threat after the interval and reduced the deficit shortly after the hour mark.

Nicolo Tresoldi converted from the penalty spot after the referee was advised to review an incident involving Aaron Wan-Bissaka at the pitchside monitor. The spot-kick was awarded for handball, allowing the Belgian side to move within one goal of their opponents.

Villa were forced to defend for long periods during the closing stages as Club Brugge launched a sustained attack in search of an equaliser. Despite the pressure, Aston Villa protected their lead and secured a narrow victory to begin their European campaign.

The result also provided a timely response to Villa’s difficult start in front of goal domestically. Before travelling to Belgium, they had not found the net in any of their opening three Premier League fixtures.

For McGinn and his team-mates, the win offered a morale boost after that barren run, although they had to endure a nervous finish before confirming all three points in their Champions League opener.

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