New signing Nicolas Jackson helped Aston Villa secure all three points in a tough 3-2 away win against Club Brugge on matchday one of the Champions League.
The Villans were exceptional in the first half, with goals coming from John McGinn, Emiliano Buendía and Jackson.
Brugge did not go down without a fight, however, with Hugo Vetlesen tucking one away in the bottom corner in the 19th minute followed by a Nicolo Tresoldi second-half penalty.
Hard work is paramount
“The hard work is even when we are not winning,” Aston Villa boss Unai Emery told Sky Sports.
“I am so happy and thankful because we know how we are in the way with the responsibility we and I have.
“The players have a responsibility too. The older players need to guide to keep our standard high to show everybody that this is the only way to achieve our targets.
“We are improving after Brighton and after Hull City. We must work hard – it is the only way.
“This is the process that we must try to set. We did one very important step forward: being resilient when we were struggling.”
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New Villa need wins
Villa captain McGinn said after the win: “It was so important to show a real gritty performance and get a victory at a very tough place to play.
“The [home] supporters were excellent [and Brugge are a] very impressive club, so to win was huge for us.
“It’s a new Villa and it was a big test for the new players to dig in. It was João Gomes and George Hemmings’ first Champions League games.
“It’s not easy to go away at a place like this in difficult weather conditions.
“Club Brugge were pushing and pushing and pushing and we had to stand strong. We managed to do that.”
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