Subs: Jackers, Romero, Vetlesen, Meijer, Vermant, Skoras, Siquet, Spileers, Sabbe, Talbi.
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Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martínez; Konsa, Diego Carlos, Mings, Maatsen; Kamara, Tielemans; Bailey, Rogers, McGinn (c); Watkins.
Subs: Gauci, Olsen, Durán, Buendia, Digne, Torres, Philogene-Bidace, Nedeljkovic, Onana, Bogarde, Ramsey, Swinkels.
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Referee: Tobias Stieler (Germany)
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Aston Villa’s Champions League run might be the feelgood story of the season so far – and we could all use a feelgood story right now, couldn’t we? In the Premier League, Villa have forced their way into an expanded “big eight” – and that’s also the very realistic target Unai Emery has set his players in Europe.
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Victory in Belgium tonight would see Villa join Liverpool as the only teams with a 100% record from four games – and well on the way to securing a top-eight finish, and a golden ticket to the last 16. Emery’s side are yet to concede a goal in Europe this season, and will kick off against Club Brugge as warm favourites to make it four wins from four.
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That said, the fixture list from here is tricky (Juventus and Celtic at home, Leipzig and Monaco away) and with the continental itinerary creating some domestic turbulence –and some big Premier League games to negotiate before the end of January – Emery will be very keen to get an extra three points on the board here.
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Standing in their way are a team rediscovering their groove after struggling under Scott Parker and Ronny Deila, winning last season’s Belgian title and currently sitting second in the table. The new man in charge, Nicky Hayen, was manager of Haverfordwest County in early 2022, but is now building a reputation as a young coach to watch.
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major events
The name most familiar to British readers on Club Brugge's team sheet is former Liverpool and Sunderland veteran keeper Simon Mignolet. Tonight they are without some key players – Rafael Onyedika is suspended and fellow midfielder Hugo Vetlesen is on the bench recovering from injury.
Striker Gustav Nilsson, who was signed from Union SG in the summer, is also out injured, leaving Heyen's team without the focal point of their attack. However, they have plenty of creative talent, including Andreas Skov Olsen, Spanish forward Ferran Jutogula and Greek winger Christos Tzoris, who scored in the away game against Sturm Graz.
Pre-game reading on other South American fun and games:
After the 4-1 defeat to Tottenham, manager Unai Emery made a major change, with Diego Carlos, Tyrone Mings and Ian Maassen joining the back four. Kamara replaces Onana in midfield and Leon Bailey replaces Jacob Ramsey up front. Ollie Watkins holds his place ahead of John Duran, who may not be too excited.
team news
Club Brugge (4-3-3): Mignolet. Seiz, Ordonez, Mechele, De Kuyper. Jashari, Nielsen, Vanaken (c); Skov Olsen, Tsolis, Utgra.
Subs: Jackers, Romero, Vetlesen, Mayer, Vermant, Skolas, Sike, Spillers, Sabbe, Talbi.
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez. Konsa, Diego Carlos, Mings, Maassen. Kamala, Tielemans. Bailey, Rogers, McGinn (c); Watkins.
Subs: Gauci, Olsen, Duran, Buendia, Digne, Torres, Filogene-Vidace, Nedeljković, Onana, Bogard, Ramsey, Swinkels.
Referee: Tobias Stieler (Germany)
preamble
Aston Villa's run through the Champions League may be the best story of the season so far. And we could all use a feel-good story right now, right? In the Premier League, Villa forced their way into the expanded 'Big Eight', a very realistic goal that manager Unai Emery has set for his players in Europe.
Victory in Belgium tonight means Villa will join Liverpool as the only teams to have achieved 100% from four games, but remain on course for a top-eight finish and a golden ticket to the last 16. There is. Emery's team has yet to concede. They will face Club Brugge as favorites to score in Europe this season with four wins in four games.
That said, the list of matches from here on is difficult (Juventus and Celtic are home, Leipzig and Monaco are away). And with a continental itinerary creating chaos domestically, and some big Premier League games to be negotiated before the end of January, Emery will have a very tough time. We would like to get three additional points here.
Standing in front of them is a side that is rediscovering form after struggling under Scott Parker and Ronny Deila, who won last season's Belgian title and currently sit second in the table. I am doing it. New manager Nicky Heyen was previously manager of Haverfordwest County in early 2022 and is now building a reputation as a young coach to watch.
