Aston Villa beat Club Brugge 3-2 in Belgium to open their Champions League campaign with a much-needed return to form in front of goal.
John McGinn, Emiliano Buendia and Nicolas Jackson all scored during an outstanding first half, giving Unai Emery’s side a commanding lead after they had failed to find the net in their opening three Premier League matches.
Villa took the lead in the 11th minute when McGinn met Pau Torres’ run from defence with a first-time finish into the bottom corner. Club Brugge responded through Hugo Vetlesen, who swept a low shot beyond the goalkeeper eight minutes later.
The visitors regained the advantage within three minutes. Joao Gomes created the opening for Buendia, who followed up to score from close range as Villa continued to threaten on the break.
Jackson then added a third just before half-time, racing on to a long pass from Torres and rounding Yann Sommer before finishing into an empty net. It was the striker’s first goal since his club-record £65 million move to Aston Villa.
Villa had 21 attempts in total, nine of them on target, but were made to withstand a tense second half after Nicolo Tresoldi converted a penalty in the 61st minute.
The spot-kick was awarded after a pitchside review found Aaron Wan-Bissaka had handled the ball. Club Brugge applied sustained pressure thereafter, but Villa defended their lead to secure three points in the opening matchday of the Champions League league phase.
Aston Villa’s next league-phase fixture is at home to Fenerbahce on October 14.
