Aston Villa’s 3-2 win over Club Brugge built on three first-half goals

Aston Villa beat Club Brugge KV 3-2 at Jan Breydel Stadion on Tuesday, recovering from Hugo Vetlesen’s 19th-minute equaliser to lead 3-1 at half-time. The result leaves Villa ranked third and Club Brugge ninth in the League Phase standings, with both teams listed on 0 points after 0 games.

How it happened

John McGinn opened the scoring for Aston Villa in the 11th minute, converting Pau Torres’ assist. Club Brugge responded through Vetlesen eight minutes later, with Jan Virgili Tenas providing the final pass, but Villa regained the lead in the 22nd minute when Emiliano Buendía finished from João Gomes’ assist. Nicolas Jackson made it 3-1 in the 43rd minute, again supplied by Torres. Nicolo Tresoldi reduced the deficit to 3-2 from the penalty spot in the 61st minute, but Club Brugge could not find a third.

The numbers

Club Brugge had 64% possession and completed 531 accurate passes from 601 total, compared with Villa’s 36% possession and 282 accurate passes from 339. Villa nevertheless produced more attacking volume, recording 21 total shots to Club Brugge’s 14, including a 15-10 advantage in shots inside the box. Both goalkeepers made 5 saves, while each side finished with 7 and 9 shots on goal respectively.

Who decided it

Jackson was Aston Villa’s highest-rated player at 8.2 after scoring once in 81 minutes, registering 2 shots on target and 3 key passes. Torres was central to the result with 2 assists, 4 key passes and a 7.8 rating across 90 minutes, while McGinn added a goal, 4 key passes, 4 tackles and a 7.9 rating.

Why it matters

Villa’s 3-2 away win places them third in the supplied League Phase table, while Club Brugge sit ninth; both are level on 0 points with the leader, AEK Athens FC, also listed on 0. The teams’ season records remain shown as 0 played, so the table data records no numerical points gap despite the result.