Aston Villa entered the match with an unbeaten Champions League record, but Club Brugge brought that to an end with a deserved victory. A penalty from Hans Vanaken and a costly error from Tyrone Mings sealed the win for the Belgian side with a score Club Brugge 1-0 Aston Villa.
Villa struggled to cope with Brugge's pressing and failed to create clear chances, marking a disappointing outing for Unai Emery's team in this Club Brugge vs Aston Villa game. So, how did the Villans perform in this Club Brugge vs Aston Villa Champions League fixture? Here are the Aston Villa player ratings v Club Brugge from their disappointing 1-0 loss in the Champions League.
Aston Villa player ratings v Club Brugge - Champions League (4-2-3-1)
Aston Villa starting XI v Club Brugge
Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martinez (7/10)
Martinez was busy throughout the match, making five saves in the first half. He was helpless to stop the penalty and was let down by Mings’ mistake, though he remained Villa’s standout performer in this Club Brugge vs Aston Villa Champions League game.
Right Back: Ezri Konsa (5/10)
Konsa faced intense pressure from Christos Tzolis, which limited his forward play. He was often chasing back and struggled to push up the field.
Centre Back: Diego Carlos (5/10)
Booked early in the game, Carlos attempted some accurate passes but seemed held back by his yellow card, aware that another error might see him sent off.
Centre Back: Tyrone Mings (4/10)
Mings had a poor game, highlighted by a bizarre error leading to a penalty. Booked in the first half and later substituted, he struggled and could not recover from his costly mistake in this Club Brugge vs Aston Villa.
Left Back: Ian Maatsen (5/10)
Maatsen had difficulty containing Skov Olsen’s direct runs. He tried to support the attack but could not create much impact in the final third.
Defensive Midfielder: Boubacar Kamara (6/10)
Kamara had a slow start, allowing Brugge to dominate early. He improved as the game went on, but his efforts were ultimately in vain.
Defensive Midfielder: Youri Tielemans (5/10)
Tielemans distributed passes well early on, but as Brugge’s pressing intensified, he struggled to control the game’s pace in this Club Brugge vs Aston Villa.
Right Winger: Leon Bailey (4/10)
Bailey was largely absent from the game. When he did reach the byline, his crosses were ineffective.
Attacking Midfielder: John McGinn (5/10)
McGinn missed a good chance in the first half, heading over from close range. Although energetic, he lacked sharpness and was later substituted in this Club Brugge vs Aston Villa.
Left Winger: Morgan Rogers (4/10)
Rogers had a quiet night, failing to make an impact before being substituted in the second half as Villa sought a way back.
Centre Forward: Ollie Watkins (5/10)
Watkins was active in the air and narrowly missed a shot in the first half. However, he was deprived of service and replaced near the end of the match.
Aston Villa substitutes v Club Brugge
Jhon Duran (6/10) - McGinn 58’
Duran replaced McGinn and offered a physical presence, but he encountered the same issue of poor service.
Jacob Ramsey (6/10) - Rogers 66’
Ramsey came on for Rogers and contributed in a lowprofile way, helping Villa retain possession.
Pau Torres (6/10) - Mings 66’
Replacing Mings, Torres could not do much to change Villa’s fortunes in defence.
Emiliano Buendia (NA/10) - Watkins 80’
Late replacement for Watkins; had little time to make an impact.
Kosta Nedeljkovic (NA/10) - Carlos 80’
Came on late and was unable to affect the game.
Aston Villa manager vs Club Brugge
Unai Emery (4/10)
Emery’s tactical changes lacked cohesion, and his substitutions did not alter the match. Brugge were the deserved winners, capitalising on Villa’s mistakes and lack of creativity.
Aston Villa player ratings v Club Brugge (4-2-3-1): Starting XI - Martinez (7/10); Konsa (5/10), Carlos (5/10), Mings (4/10), Maatsen (5/10); Kamara (6/10), Tielemans (5/10); Bailey (4/10), McGinn (5/10), Rogers (4/10); Watkins (5/10). Substitutes - Duran (6/10), Ramsey (6/10), Torres (6/10), Buendia (NA/10), Nedeljkovic (NA/10). Manager - Emery (4/10).
What are your Aston Villa player ratings v Club Brugge from their disappointing 1-0 loss in the Champions League?