Brugge v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[LeeS]

The worrying thing about last night was that it was our 2nd midweek away game in a row where the opposition looked way more combative and way more up for it. Yes, we won, which is fab, but Brugge outfought us all over the park. Until BK came on anyway.

[darren woolley]

Brilliant result can't wait until next week.

[brontebilly]

They won 3-1 in Bergamo and are a very decent side who look really well organised. Let's not call it over just yet.

3-1 away in Europe is the way though. Doesn't matter who the opposition is, in the last 16 of the Champions League that is a big result.

 It's obviously a very good position for us to be in, but I don't think it is quite a decisive one just yet.  An early goal for them next week to take the lead on the night changes things.  I hope we go out with intent to win the game rather than just protect the lead. 

There's always a chance but we've played them twice on their own cabbage patch now and we should not have lot the 1st game despite shite, the balance of play will be different at home and I reckon we'll end up something like 3 nil on the night, these are in the same bracket as Celtic.

I don't see that at all, think Brugge are a very good team. Was impressed with them tactically last night. Letting our centre backs have the ball, pressure on Tielemans particularly, exposing Disasi's unease out of position (which they wouldnt have been able to prepare for really), sharp and aggressive on our attacking players. Their guy on left was seriously good.  1-3 was a bit of a travesty of a score line on the balance of play.

We are in a great position but I wouldn't be all that confident. Our performances continue to worry me. It's the same all season, a 20-30 min blast every now and again. Emery losing plot on sideline again.

[AV82EC]

Utter nonsense.

[Demitri_C]

We should feel confident  but the tie is not over we need to ensure compliancy  doesnt become a issue like the olympiakos home game

[tomd2103]

Utter nonsense.

We are a different team at home.  We've only lost twice at home this season in all competitions haven't we (although we've probably drawn a few too many along the way)?

[Smithy]

It's not over, obviously, but we have every right to feel confident going into the home leg with a two-goal advantage.

Brugge are now 18-1 to qualify for the quarter-finals, and that feels about right.  For context, we're about 25-1 to win the entire tournament.

If we DON'T go through, something pretty spectacular has gone wrong for us (or right for them).

[nigel]

Loved tonight.

Came out of the home end in the South Stand unscathed and made some Belgian friends.

Great support from the Villa faithful.

Can anybody tell me why Unai got booked please?

Ran on to the pitch and kept complaining. Were you here?😂

In Delaney’s now but not sure how I would know that. I was watching the game!

My brother and his mates were in Delaneys, they were with the girl from radio WM

[PeterWithe]

Key is keep a clean sheet first half, then the gaps will appear and we can stroll home

[Brazilian Villain]

It's not over, obviously, but we have every right to feel confident going into the home leg with a two-goal advantage.

Home advantage and the fact that we're a superior team should see us through comfortably. However, we were a trfile fortunate last night and, if Emi hadn't made that incredible save at 1-1, it could have been a very different story. If we concede an early goal, things could get nervier than they should.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Another huge bonus from last night's match was seeing all our players that have been injured, coming back into the squad.

Unlike last season, when we ran out of steam, it feels like we're just getting going this year.

[Drummond]

Another huge bonus from last night's match was seeing all our players that have been injured, coming back into the squad.

Unlike last season, when we ran out of steam, it feels like we're just getting going this year.

It does, and we still have Torres, Onana and Barkley to return to playing duties, which makes us much stronger still.

[paul_e]

They won 3-1 in Bergamo and are a very decent side who look really well organised. Let's not call it over just yet.

3-1 away in Europe is the way though. Doesn't matter who the opposition is, in the last 16 of the Champions League that is a big result.

 It's obviously a very good position for us to be in, but I don't think it is quite a decisive one just yet.  An early goal for them next week to take the lead on the night changes things.  I hope we go out with intent to win the game rather than just protect the lead. 

There's always a chance but we've played them twice on their own cabbage patch now and we should not have lot the 1st game despite shite, the balance of play will be different at home and I reckon we'll end up something like 3 nil on the night, these are in the same bracket as Celtic.

I don't see that at all, think Brugge are a very good team. Was impressed with them tactically last night. Letting our centre backs have the ball, pressure on Tielemans particularly, exposing Disasi's unease out of position (which they wouldnt have been able to prepare for really), sharp and aggressive on our attacking players. Their guy on left was seriously good.  1-3 was a bit of a travesty of a score line on the balance of play.

We are in a great position but I wouldn't be all that confident. Our performances continue to worry me. It's the same all season, a 20-30 min blast every now and again. Emery losing plot on sideline again.

If Villa had played like them you'd have been giving the entire team 3-5 in your ratings and moaning how shit we were for conceding 3 and we all know it.

[Concrete Tom]

Martinez- one great save. Actually thought he should of done better with the goal. Nt really troubled for most of the night.

Took a deflection off Konsa, no?

[tomd2103]

Another huge bonus from last night's match was seeing all our players that have been injured, coming back into the squad.

Unlike last season, when we ran out of steam, it feels like we're just getting going this year.

The only slight concern on that point is that we don't have a back-up striker in the Champions League squad with Malen not being included.  Means we haven't got an option to change things if we need one.