Villa end winless start with win at Club Brugge | OneFootball

Aston Villa finally got their season up and running as they held on for a 3-2 victory over Club Brugge in their Champions League opener.

John McGinn opened the scoring in the 11th minute, sweeping home after Pau Torres picked him out inside the box.

Brugge responded quickly through Hugo Vetlesen, but Villa regained the lead when Emi Buendia finished after good work from Joao Gomes.

The visitors then struck again before the interval, with Nicolas Jackson racing onto another superb Torres pass before rounding Yann Sommer and finishing into an empty net for his first Villa goal.

Brugge came roaring back after half-time and were awarded a penalty in the 61st minute after Aaron Wan-Bissaka was penalised for handball. Nicolo Tresoldi converted to make it 3-2.

The hosts piled on the pressure and Tresoldi later hit the post, while Zion Suzuki was forced into several important saves.

Villa survived a nervy finale to secure their first victory of the campaign, with captain McGinn also moving onto 12 European goals for the club. The result gives Emery’s revamped side a valuable platform to build on.

Incidents: The story of the match

Club Brugge Official Line-ups:

Yann Sommer, Kyriani Sabbe, Lee Han-beom, Brandon Mechele, Joaquin Seys, Freddie Potts, Hans Vanaken, Hugo Vetlesen, Carlos Forbs, Nicolo Tresoldi, Jan Virgili

Aston Villa Official Line-ups:

Zion Suzuki, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelöf, Pau Torres, Ian Maatsen, Boubacar Kamara, Emiliano Buendía, John McGinn, João Gomes, George Hemmings, Nicolas Jackson

1':

The match begins

Aston Villa takes the lead 1-0 against Club Brugge. John McGinn scores with a left-footed shot from the right side of the box into the bottom left corner, assisted by Pau Torres.

11':

GOAL Aston Villa: John McGinn (Aston Villa) scores!

John McGinn scores goal number 1 in the competition (1 matches)

The score is now 1-1 as Hugo Vetlesen scores for Club Brugge with a left-footed shot from the center of the box into the bottom right corner, assisted by Jan Virgili.

19':

GOAL Club Brugge: Hugo Vetlesen (Club Brugge) scores!

Hugo Vetlesen scores goal number 1 in the competition (1 matches)

Aston Villa leads 2-1 against Club Brugge. Emiliano Buendía scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, assisted by João Gomes.

22':

GOAL Aston Villa: Emiliano Buendía (Aston Villa) scores!

Emiliano Buendía scores goal number 1 in the competition (1 matches)

Aston Villa leads 3-1 against Club Brugge. Nicolas Jackson scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, assisted by Pau Torres after a quick break.

43':

GOAL Aston Villa: Nicolas Jackson (Aston Villa) scores!

Nicolas Jackson scores goal number 1 in the competition (1 matches)

61':

GOALClub Brugge: Nicolo Tresoldi (Club Brugge) scores penalty-kick!

Nicolo Tresoldi scores goal number 1 in the competition (1 matches)

998':

The referee whistles for the end of the match