Preview: Brugge vs. Aston Villa – prediction, group information, lineups

After storming by way of their first three Champions League fixtures, Aston Villa goal to increase an ideal begin after they go to Membership Brugge on Wednesday.

Jan Breydelstadion will host the groups’ first assembly, with Villa driving excessive in the desk on most factors and the Belgian champions languishing outdoors the playoff locations.

Match preview

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One among solely two groups to choose up 9 factors from the primary three matchdays, alongside Premier League rivals Liverpool, Aston Villa’s begin is all of the extra exceptional resulting from being one in all 5 golf equipment making their Champions League debut.

Because the European Cup was radically remodelled by UEFA within the early Nineties, solely three sides have received their first 4 matches: AC Milan in 1993, Paris Saint-Germain in 1994 and Juventus in 1995, whereas none did so with a clear sheet on every event.

Unai Emery‘s males may obtain that feat, as they’re but to concede a purpose after defeating Younger Boys 3-0 of their opener, earlier than memorably beating Bayern Munich 1-0 at Villa Park, after which claiming a comparatively snug victory final outing.

Second-half strikes from captain John McGinn and red-hot striker Jhon Duran secured a 2-0 success towards Bologna in Birmingham, as Emery’s longstanding mastery of European soccer continued.

Outcomes on the home scene have lately dipped, although, as Sunday’s 4-1 loss at Tottenham Hotspur dropped Villa right down to sixth place in the Premier League desk.

Along with taking one level from two top-flight matches since beating Bologna, Duran’s purpose was not sufficient to forestall the Villans dropping 2-1 at dwelling to Crystal Palace within the EFL Cup, so they are going to be eager to get straight again on observe.

Having excelled on their travels all season lengthy, profitable 5 and dropping simply one in all seven away matches throughout all competitions, they’ll hit the highway absolutely assured of amassing extra factors in Belgium.

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Historical past is not going to be on Membership Brugge’s facet when enjoying host to Aston Villa for the very first time, as their winless run towards English opposition stretches again 14 matches – of which they’ve misplaced 11 – whereas delivery no fewer than 14 objectives within the final three.

The Belgian facet have already conceded six on this time period’s Champions League, dropping 3-0 at dwelling to Borussia Dortmund and 3-1 towards AC Milan at San Siro, both facet of a 1-0 victory over Sturm Graz.

Like Villa, Membership Brugge took half within the Convention League final season, coming by way of three qualifying rounds earlier than ending first of their group and finally reaching the semi-finals; however life amid Europe’s elite has proved tougher.

European Cup runners-up to Liverpool again in 1978, the Blauw-Zwart have extra lately received simply three of their final 21 dwelling matches within the Champions League correct, dropping every of the final three whereas failing to attain.

After claiming the membership’s fourth home title in 5 years, Nicky Hayen‘s facet have began their defence effectively sufficient, although they path Professional League pace-setters Genk by seven factors after 13 matches.

Having simply crushed previous foes Anderlecht after which mid-table OH Leuven, Membership Brugge have now received 4 of their final 5 video games in all competitions – and that defeat in Milan is their sole setback in eight.

Membership Brugge Champions League kind:

Membership Brugge kind (all competitions):

Aston Villa Champions League kind:

Aston Villa kind (all competitions):

Staff Information

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As soon as once more, Unai Emery faces a welcome dilemma regarding his beginning striker, as Ollie Watkins is Aston Villa’s main Premier League scorer on 5 objectives, yet one more than Jhon Duran, whose 4 have all come in its place.

Nevertheless, Colombia worldwide Duran scored the winner towards Bayern, began versus Bologna, and has racked up eight objectives throughout all competitions.

After welcoming Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara again from long-term knee accidents, Villa’s solely absentees are Matty Money and Ross Barkley, the latter of whom missed the journey to Spurs and could also be dominated out till after the worldwide break.

With Barkley unavailable and Kamara nonetheless working his method again to peak health, ex-Anderlecht duo Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana ought to run the guests’ engine room in Bruges.

In the meantime, the hosts’ chief concern regards Gustaf Nilsson, who lately returned from a calf damage – scoring 5 minutes his introduction in its place – however subsequently sat out the weekend win in Leuven.

Raphael Onyedika was despatched off at San Siro, so he should serve a one-match ban, probably providing Hugo Vetlesen a uncommon probability to begin.

Both Romeo Vermant or Ferran Jutgla is anticipated to function up entrance, whereas captain Hans Vanaken begins in midfield and veteran goalkeeper Simon Mignolet offers Membership Brugge’s final line of defence.

Membership Brugge attainable beginning lineup:
Mignolet; Seys, Ordonez, Mechele, De Cuyper; Jashari, Vetlesen; Skov Olsen, Vanaken, Tzolis; Vermant

Aston Villa attainable beginning lineup:
Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Maatsen; Onana, Tielemans; McGinn, Rogers, Ramsey; Duran

We are saying: Membership Brugge 1-2 Aston Villa

Throughout Membership Brugge’s final 15 Champions League matches, they’ve both conceded no less than two objectives or saved a clear sheet – managing to do the latter on six events.

It could be asking an excessive amount of to maintain Aston Villa’s assault at bay for 90 minutes, although, and the hosts are set to undergo one other defeat.

For information evaluation of the almost certainly outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click on right here.

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