Aston Villa are in the Champions League knockout stage for the first time since lifting the trophy in 1982.
Their reward is a tie against Club Brugge, a team they have already faced this season.
This is a rare opportunity for Villa to make their mark in Europe’s elite competition. They secured a top-eight finish in the league phase and now face a side that barely made it through.
Brugge are in the last 16 for only the second time. They edged through on goal difference and stunned Atalanta in the play-offs.
Their strength at home is clear, with just one defeat in 17 games at Jan Breydelstadion.
Villa know this first-hand. When the teams met in November, Unai Emery’s side suffered a frustrating 1-0 defeat after a lapse in concentration led to a decisive penalty.
However, the Spaniard expects a better performance this time.
“We analysed the match we played here and they played fantastic football, but we didn’t compete like I want to do,” Emery said. “To be consistent, competing is the most important.”
Despite that setback, Villa recovered to secure a top-eight spot with a dramatic 4-2 win over Celtic. Their campaign has shown glimpses of a side capable of making a deep run.
Emery is no stranger to knockout football, having reached this stage with three different clubs before. He believes Villa’s strength will come from their structure rather than individual brilliance.
“We are not going to get our objective only through individual players or skills,” he added. “We are going to get our objective collectively, building our structure as strong as possible.”
Villa’s biggest concern remains their away form. They have lost nine of their last 12 matches on the road, a trend that needs to change if they are to progress.
They have been nearly unbeatable at home, losing just twice in their last 23 matches. Emery will aim to keep things tight in Belgium before pushing for victory in Birmingham.
This tie presents a real chance for Villa to reach the quarter-finals. If they can overcome their away struggles, they could take another significant step in their European journey.
