Champions League: Aston Villa Beat Club Brugge To Close In On Quarterfinals

Aston Villa earned a 3-1 win away from Club Brugge in their Champions League last-16 first leg in Belgium on Tuesday night, thanks to an own goal and a penalty kick in the final eight minutes.

Leon Bailey put Villa ahead after three minutes and Maxim De Cuyper levelled nine minutes later. But Brugge’s Brandon Mechele scored an own goal eight minutes from time and with two minutes left, Marco Asensio converted from the penalty spot.

The sides will meet again at Villa Park next Wednesday for the second leg, to decide who will face either Liverpool or Paris Saint-Germain in the quarterfinals.

“I am happy, but calm. There are still 90 minutes to play,” Emery told reporters.

“We are not in the quarter-final. I know how difficult each match is and how it can change.”

Brugge won 1-0 when the sides met earlier in the competition, but this time around the hosts were chasing the game from the start.

A Youri Tielemans free kick floated into the box was headed back by Tyrone Mings and Bailey met the ball first time with a side-footed half-volley which flew into the bottom corner.