Aston Villa end goal drought, beat Club Brugge in Champions League opener

Aston Villa finally ended their goal drought as they kicked off their Champions League campaign with a 3-2 win against Club Brugge on Tuesday.

Aston Villa made a dismal start in the Premier League after a turbulent close-season marred by the departures of many of their Europa League-winning stars.

They are goalless in the top flight and had just one shot on target in their first three matches.

But Villa’s opening game of the league phase in Europe’s elite club competition provided a welcome tonic as they won for the first time this term.

In torrential rain at the Jan Breydel Stadium, John McGinn put Villa ahead in the early stages with his team’s first goal this season.

Hugo Vetlesen equalised soon afterwards, but Emiliano Buendia restored the visitors’ lead before Nicolas Jackson’s first goal for Villa increased their advantage on the stroke of half-time.

Nicolo Tresoldi’s penalty after the interval set up a tense finale, but Villa held firm.

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Unai Emery’s side can now turn their focus to securing a first top-flight win against Nottingham Forest this weekend before resuming their Champions League fixtures against Fenerbahce in October.

Aston Villa won the Europa League last season to end their 30-year trophy drought, but the team that made history by beating Freiburg in Istanbul has been ripped apart in a matter of months.

Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins, Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Martinez, Lucas Digne, and Ezri Konsa were all sold in a summer of upheaval.

The rebuild, sparked by the team’s need to stay within football’s financial regulations, is a major test for Emery and this was the first sign that he can find a solution.

Aston Villa thrashed Brugge in the Champions League last 16 in 2025 and once again they proved too strong for the Belgian club.