Aston Villa return to the Champions League as Europa League holders on Tuesday, but Unai Emery’s rebuilt side are still waiting to score their first Premier League goal of the season.
Villa followed defeats against Brighton and Arsenal with a 0-0 draw at Hull on Saturday, although there were at least signs that their attacking problems may be beginning to ease.
Emery’s side had 74% possession, 13 attempts and generated close to two expected goals at the MKM Stadium, a considerable improvement on their opening two performances without finding the finish they needed.
European football has generally brought out the best in Villa under Emery, but Club Brugge is a difficult place to look for a first win of the season.
The Belgian side have won four of their opening five domestic league games, scoring nine times and conceding only twice, while their home performances in Europe have regularly caused problems for supposedly stronger opposition.
Barcelona were held to a 3-3 draw here last season, while Brugge also produced impressive home results against Monaco and Marseille. Villa themselves know exactly how difficult the Jan Breydelstadion can be after losing 1-0 here during the 2024/25 Champions League league phase.
They did return a few months later and win 3-1 in the knockout stages, eventually cruising through 6-1 on aggregate, but this is a very different Villa team.
Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Ezri Konsa and Emiliano Martinez were among the major departures during a summer of significant change, with Nicolas Jackson, Leon Goretzka, João Gomes and Zion Suzuki among those brought in as part of Emery’s rebuild.
That turnover offers some explanation for a slow domestic start, but it also makes Villa difficult to trust at short odds in one of the tougher away environments they will face during the Champions League league phase.
What are the best picks for Club Brugge vs Aston Villa?
Club Brugge: Draw no bet
Villa’s European pedigree means it would be dangerous to write them off after three disappointing league performances, but there is very little in their current form to justify treating an away victory as the most likely outcome.
They are yet to score in the Premier League, have taken only one point and are still trying to establish combinations after one of the biggest squad rebuilds in the division.
Club Brugge, meanwhile, have started their domestic campaign strongly and have repeatedly shown that they are capable of competing with high-level opposition on their own ground.
Villa’s previous visit is also relevant. Brugge beat them 1-0 here in November 2024 and, although Emery’s team won on their return later that season, the Belgian champions have since added further evidence that this is not a straightforward European away trip.
Backing Brugge: Draw no bet gives us protection against Villa’s obvious quality while still opposing a side that simply has not been firing at the start of the season.
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Nicolò Tresoldi 2+ shots on target
Tresoldi provides the more aggressive second selection.
The Club Brugge striker has scored three times already this season and remains one of the most consistent shooters in the side.
He averaged around 3.5 attempts per 90 minutes last season, with 1.39 hitting the target, and has maintained almost exactly the same overall shooting frequency during the opening weeks of the new campaign.
Tresoldi also tends to play the majority of matches rather than being withdrawn early, which matters when asking him to register multiple efforts on target.
Villa have already allowed opponents plenty of opportunities despite tightening up since their 4-0 defeat at Brighton, and Brugge should spend enough time in attacking areas for their centre-forward to get chances.
At 2.75, two or more shots on target looks more interesting than simply backing Tresoldi to score.
Where can I watch Club Brugge vs Aston Villa?
Club Brugge vs Aston Villa kicks off at 5:45 PM BST on Tuesday, September 8 at the Jan Breydelstadion.
The Champions League fixture will be shown live in the UK on TNT Sports 1, with streaming also available to subscribers.
What is Club Brugge’s predicted team?
(4-2-3-1) Sommer – Sabbe, Mechele, Lee, Seys – Potts, Vanaken – Forbs, Vetlesen, Diakhon – Tresoldi.
Injured: Joel Ordóñez.
Hans Vanaken remains one of Brugge’s most important players and scored the penalty that separated the teams when Villa lost here two years ago, while Tresoldi should continue through the middle after his productive start to the season.
What is Aston Villa’s predicted team?
(4-2-3-1) Suzuki – Cash, Lindelöf, Torres, Maatsen – Kamara, Gomes – McGinn, Buendía, Mbaye – Jackson.
Injured: Amadou Onana, Johan Manzambi.
Unavailable: Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
João Gomes is available despite his domestic suspension, while Ibrahim Mbaye is pushing for his first Villa start after arriving late in the transfer window.
Jackson should continue as the central striker after replacing Watkins during the summer, with Villa hoping the Champions League can provide the spark that has been missing from their opening three league games.
Score prediction: Club Brugge 1-1 Aston Villa
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