The second leg of the 2024/25 Champions League Round of 16 between Aston Villa (England) and Club Brugge (Belgium) will take place on March 12 at Villa Park in Birmingham. The first leg ended with a 3-1 victory for Aston Villa. Aston Villa vs. Club Brugge: prediction, betting tips, statistics.
Aston Villa
Unai Emery's side triumphed over Club Brugge (3-1) in the first leg, marking their sixth victory in this season's Champions League. Additionally, the club has scored at least three goals in four matches in the current campaign. To advance to the next round, the English team needs to avoid losing by more than one goal in regular time. Aston Villa has not participated in the top European competition since the 1982/83 season, when they reached the quarter-finals.
- At least one of the opponents failed to score in regular time in 6 of the team's last 9 Champions League matches.
- The club has not won the first half in their last eight Champions League games (7 draws, 1 loss).
- The English side has kept a clean sheet in 3 of their last 4 home Champions League matches.
Predicted lineup for Aston Villa (4-2-3-1)
Emiliano Martinez – Ezri Konsa, Axel Disasi, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne – John McGinn, Youri Tielemans – Morgan Rogers, Leon Bailey, Marcus Rashford – Ollie Watkins.
Midfielder Ross Barkley will miss the match due to injury.
Club Brugge
Under the guidance of Nicky Hayen, Club Brugge suffered their fourth defeat in this season's Champions League after losing the first leg. In each of these losses, they conceded three goals. However, the team has managed to score in nine of their last ten matches in the tournament. To progress to the next round, Brugge needs to win by at least three goals in regular time; if they win by two, extra time will be played. Club Brugge last reached the quarter-finals of the top European competition in the 1977/78 season.
- The club has not won in regular time in 6 of their last 8 away Champions League matches (3 draws, 3 losses).
- Both teams scored in 5 of the team's last 6 away matches in this European competition.
- The Belgians have scored exactly one goal in regular time in 5 of their last 6 away Champions League games.
Predicted lineup for Club Brugge (4-3-3)
Simon Mignolet – Maxim De Cuyper, Brandon Mechele, Joel Ordonez, Kyran Sabbe – Raphael Onyedika, Ardon Jashari, Hans Vanaken – Ferran Jutgla, Chemsdine Talbi, Christos Tzolis.
Defenders Joaquin Sels and Bjorn Meijer will miss the match due to injuries.
Referee
Daniel Siebert (Germany)
Matches – 8 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 37;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.6;
Red cards shown – 4;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 25%.
Aston Villa vs. Club Brugge: Match Prediction
The English side started this Champions League campaign focusing on a solid defense, conceding only once in their first five matches. However, in their last four games in this European competition, Unai Emery's men have shifted focus, scoring ten goals while conceding six. It's worth noting that Aston Villa conceded in both encounters with Club Brugge in this Champions League edition.
The Belgians, even away from home, aim to play boldly in attack and do not sit back in defense. They have scored in their last six away Champions League matches, and even netted three times against Atalanta in the playoffs. However, Club Brugge's defense has been less than perfect, keeping only one clean sheet and conceding a total of 13 goals during this stretch.
I expect both teams to effectively execute their attacking strategies in this encounter. I'm predicting both teams to score, so my prediction: Both teams to score – Yes
