Aston Villa cruised into the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday with a dominant 3-0 victory over 10-man Club Brugge in their last-16 second leg, securing a 6-1 aggregate win and setting up a much tougher challenge against Paris Saint-Germain.
Marco Asensio, on loan from PSG, was the standout player of the night, scoring a quick brace after coming on as a substitute in the second half.
“Very happy for the victory,” he said. “We want more. Now we have a little break and will think about the upcoming objectives.”
Although trailing 3-1 from the first leg, Brugge started the match well, creating some early chances, including a glancing header from Hans Vanaken that got their travelling fans excited.
However, the task became insurmountable for the Belgians when Kyriani Sabbe was sent off in the 16th minute for bringing down Marcus Rashford as he was through on goal.
Unai Emery’s side capitalized in the second half, with Asensio scoring from close range in the 50th minute after a pass from fellow substitute Leon Bailey.
Ian Maatsen added Villa’s second with a deflected side-foot seven minutes later, and Asensio sealed the win with a strike in the 61st minute from a Rashford assist, sparking celebrations at a packed Villa Park.
Since joining Villa in early February, Asensio has scored seven goals for the club.
Brugge’s coach Nicky Hayen acknowledged his team’s effort, reflecting on their previous 1-0 victory over Villa in the group stage, and praised Villa’s efficiency in converting their chances.
“I don’t think we were dominated by them,” he said. “They’re more efficient than us. The chances they get, they score, and the chances we get, we weren’t efficient enough.”
‘FRIGHTENING’ PSG
Now back in Europe’s elite competition for the first time in over 40 years, Villa will face a formidable PSG side, who eliminated Liverpool in a penalty shootout at Anfield on Tuesday.
“Paris Saint-Germain are frightening over two legs, so it’s going to be really tough,” said Villa captain John McGinn.
“But Aston Villa are Champions League quarter-finalists. We can’t ask for much more right now, and we’ll strive for more. You never know.”
Villa could have won by an even larger margin, as they missed several chances in the second half. However, their fans showed no complaints, cheering as fireworks lit up the sky at full-time.
“It’s mad… We’re giving these fans experiences they’ll remember forever,” McGinn added. “We want to write our names in history and make these nights more frequent.”
