At the Jan Breydelstadion, Aston Villa suffered their first UEFA Champions League defeat this season, losing 1-0 to Club Brugge. The decisive moment came in the 52nd minute when Tyrone Mings unintentionally returned a short goal kick from Emi Martínez back to the Villa goalkeeper, leading to a disputed penalty that the Belgian champions converted.
Despite Villa's strong start to the match and several opportunities, including a header from skipper John McGinn that went over and a close low shot from Ollie Watkins, they were unable to find the net. Martínez was instrumental in keeping the scoreline respectable, making multiple vital saves, including a deflection that hit the post from Ferran Jutgla's effort.
According to VAVEL.com, this defeat marked the first goal Villa conceded in Europe this season after winning their opening three matches, all with clean sheets. Next, Aston Villa will face Juventus at Villa Park on matchday five, seeking to bounce back from this setback.
Ollie Watkins has had a frustrating start to the season with only five goals in 14 matches, a stark contrast to his 27 goals last season. Despite concerns from fans regarding his recent form, he was called up for international duty and played a crucial role in helping England reach the final of the 2024 European Championships.
Wednesday night was particularly challenging for Villa, who have now lost three consecutive matches in all competitions, recording only one shot on target against Brugge and achieving a joint-low xG of 0.4 this season. Villa struggled to cope with Brugge's aggressive pressing, limiting their passing options.
The lack of depth on the bench is a growing concern for Villa supporters. Emiliano Buendia's ineffective performance, highlighted by the lowest pass-completion rate of any player attempting five or more passes, further compounded the team's struggles. Meanwhile, Ross Barkley is expected to make a return from a minor muscle injury soon, having missed the last three matches. His presence in midfield has been notably missed, as Villa has yet to secure any points without him.
Despite a disappointing team performance in Brugge, Leon Bailey stood out for his efforts on the wing. Emery has previously addressed Bailey's need to regain his form, yet the Jamaican international demonstrated his capability by running the wing effectively, despite the overall team struggles. Bailey's potential to contribute significantly will be crucial as Aston Villa navigates a demanding schedule ahead.