Aston Villa took a significant step toward the Champions League quarter-finals after scoring two late goals to seal a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge in Belgium.
Leon Bailey gave Villa a dream start in their last-16 first-leg tie—the club’s first knockout match in Europe’s top competition since the 1982-83 quarter-finals. The former Genk winger marked his return to Belgium with a stunning half-volley just two minutes and 15 seconds into the game, finishing off a headed assist from Tyrone Mings.
For Mings, it was a moment of redemption after his costly handball against Brugge in the group stage last November led to the only goal of that match.
However, Villa’s lead lasted just 10 minutes. Maxim de Cuyper equalized with a low finish, shortly after Marcus Rashford was denied by former Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet at the other end.
In a tense encounter, Club Brugge nearly went ahead in the 69th minute when captain Hans Vanaken headed wide, before ex-Norwich winger Christos Tzolis squandered a golden opportunity, blazing over from eight yards.
Villa then took control late on, scoring twice in six minutes. Brugge defender Brandon Mechele turned the ball into his own net in the 82nd minute while stretching to block a Morgan Rogers cross. Moments later, substitute Marco Asensio sealed the win from the penalty spot after Matty Cash was fouled.
With a commanding 3-1 lead, Aston Villa will be strong favorites to advance when the two sides meet in the second leg in Birmingham.
