Aston Villa achieved a significant milestone by winning their first match of the season, defeating Club Brugge 3-2 in their Champions League opener on Tuesday. Manager Unai Emery remarked that the victory represented ‘one big step forward’ for the team. This win not only boosts Villa’s confidence but also sets a positive tone for their campaign in European competition.
“When we were 2-0 ahead the confidence was very good, but Brugge scored and we could feel a little bit less confidence than we had in the first half. John McGinn put Villa ahead in the early stages with his team’s first goal this season. Hugo Vetlesen equalised soon afterwards, but Emiliano Buendia restored the visitors’ lead before Nicolas Jackson’s first goal for Villa increased their advantage on the stroke of half-time. “We had so many chances to get more of an advantage. The second half was a bit more equal. But we finished well, controlling the game like we planned. Emery admitted Villa had to sweat it out in the closing stages as Brugge pushed hard for an equaliser.
Villa captain McGinn hailed a gritty performance from a “new” Villa after the Scot became his club’s all-time leading scorer in European competitions with 12 goals.
