Overview
- Aston Villa defeated Club Brugge 3-1 in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie, overturning an earlier group stage loss in Belgium.
- Leon Bailey opened the scoring for Villa in the 3rd minute, giving the visitors an early lead.
- Club Brugge equalized through Hans Vanaken, but Aston Villa regained control with a late own goal by Brandon Mechele and a penalty converted by Marco Asensio.
- Tyrone Mings redeemed himself with a critical goal-line clearance after a previous costly error in the group stage loss to Brugge.
- Unai Emery's side, strengthened by January signings like Asensio and Rashford, aims to secure a quarter-final spot in the second leg at Villa Park.