Club Brugge: formidable at home and experienced on the European stage

Club Brugge are set to embark on their eighth Champions League campaign in the space of nine seasons. They progressed to the first knockout round last term and have built a reputation for attacking with confidence on home soil, scoring at least three goals in six of their last seven Champions League games at Jan Breydel Stadium.

Ivan Leko’s men have also enjoyed a positive beginning to the domestic season, winning four of their first five Belgian league fixtures to move into second place. Nicolò Tresoldi has been one of the early standouts, already finding the net three times in the league.

Aston Villa: squad overhaul and an unconvincing beginning

Aston Villa have gone through considerable squad changes since lifting the Europa League trophy, and Unai Emery’s team appear to still be searching for the right balance within their new setup. Their Premier League campaign has started poorly, with a 4-0 defeat against Brighton, another loss to Arsenal and a goalless draw with Hull City.

Villa can nevertheless draw on Emery’s considerable European experience. Two years ago, they also faced Club Brugge in Belgium, suffering a 1-0 defeat before responding with a 3-1 knockout-stage victory and later recording a 3-0 win over the Belgian side at home.

Probable line-ups

Club Brugge: Sommer, Sabbe, Mechele, Lee, Seys, Potts, Vanaken, Forbes, Vetlesen, Diakhon, Tresoldi.

Aston Villa: Suzuki, Cash, Lindelöf, Torres, Maatsen, Kamara, Gomes, McGinn, Buendía, Hemmings, Jackson.

Match facts and head-to-head record

Club Brugge have suffered only three defeats in their last 22 European home fixtures.

The Belgian side have scored at least three goals in six of their previous seven Champions League matches at home.

The two sides have traded victories in their last two meetings in Bruges, with results of 1-0 and 1-3.

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