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Villa’s Impressive European Journey So Far
Aston Villa is determined to keep their 100% record alive in the new Champions League format as they prepare to face Club Brugge on Wednesday. The Villans have made a stunning start to their continental campaign, highlighted by a memorable victory over Bayern Munich, alongside solid wins against Young Boys and Bologna.
Brugge’s Mixed Form Ahead of the Clash
Club Brugge, currently sitting second in the Belgian Pro League, has struggled in the Champions League, ranking 26th in the league phase table. Their only victory came against Sturm Graz, while they were outclassed by Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan in their previous matches.
Aston Villa’s Recent Struggles
Villa enters this match following a disappointing run, having lost their last two games. After being eliminated from the Carabao Cup by Crystal Palace, they suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, despite taking an early lead.
First Competitive Meeting Between the Sides
This match marks the first competitive encounter between Aston Villa and Club Brugge, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the fixture.
Injury Updates: Who’s In and Who’s Out?
For Brugge, Gustaf Nilsson is a doubt after missing their recent match, while midfielder Raphael Onyedika will be suspended. Hugo Vetlesen is expected to step in for Onyedika. Villa’s Morgan Rogers is likely to play despite a knock, but Matty Cash’s involvement is uncertain due to injury.
Predicted Lineups: Who Will Shine?
Club Brugge is anticipated to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Simon Mignolet in goal, while Villa is expected to mirror this formation with Emiliano Martinez as their goalkeeper. Both teams will be looking to their star players to make an impact on the game.
Villa’s Attack Set to Challenge Brugge’s Defence
Despite their recent setbacks, Villa’s attacking prowess should pose a significant threat to Brugge, who have shown vulnerability in defence during their Champions League outings. With a solid strategy in place, Villa will aim to exploit Brugge’s weaknesses and secure another victory.
