Aston Villa’s 100% start in the UEFA Champions League ended in a comical fashion against Club Brugge as the Belgians won 1-0 at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
Tyrone Mings, making his first European start, handled the ball after goalkeeper Emi Martinez had already done so from a goal kick, conceding a penalty in the process.
Club Brugge’s captain, Hans Vanaken then stepped up to slot the ball past Martinez, scoring the only goal of the game.
Villa, winless in three matches prior to tonight, were unable to create clear cut chances as the hosts regularly threatened on the counter.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Unai Emery said, “We played well in the first half, we were in the game … the mistake changed everything. They were better than us after that.”
“Teams like Brugge have the capacity to beat us, and tonight they did.”
This latest underwhelming display gives Unai Emery’s side a lot to ponder on as they travel to Anfield to face league leaders, Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday.
