The second leg of the 2024/25 Champions League Round of 16 between Aston Villa (England) and Club Brugge (Belgium) will take place on March 12 at Villa Park in Birmingham. The first match ended with a 3-1 victory for Aston Villa. Aston Villa vs. Club Brugge: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Aston Villa
Unai Emery's side triumphed over Club Brugge in the first leg (3-1). This was Aston Villa's sixth victory in the current Champions League campaign. Additionally, the club has scored at least three goals for the fourth time in this season's Champions League. To advance to the next round, the English team needs to avoid losing by more than one goal in regular time. Notably, the club hasn't participated in Europe's top competition since the 1982/83 season, when they reached the quarter-finals.
- At least one opponent failed to score in regular time in 6 of the last 9 Champions League matches.
- The club has not won at the end of the first half in their last eight Champions League games (7 draws, 1 loss).
- The English side has kept a clean sheet in 3 of their last 4 home Champions League matches in regular time.
Predicted lineup for Aston Villa (4-2-3-1)
Emiliano Martinez – Ezri Konsa, Axel Disasi, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne – John McGinn, Youri Tielemans – Morgan Rogers, Leon Bailey, Marcus Rashford – Ollie Watkins.
Midfielders Ross Barkley and Amadou Onana will miss the match due to injuries.
Club Brugge
Nicky Hayen's team suffered their fourth defeat in the current Champions League after losing the first leg, with Brugge conceding three goals each time. However, they have scored in nine of their last ten matches in this tournament. To progress, the club needs to win by at least three goals in regular time, while a two-goal victory would lead to extra time. Notably, Club Brugge hasn't reached the quarter-finals of Europe's top competition since the 1977/78 season.
- The club has not won in regular time in 6 of their last 8 away Champions League matches (3 draws, 3 losses).
- Both opponents scored in 5 of the last 6 away matches in this competition.
- The Belgians have scored exactly one goal in regular time in 5 of their last 6 away Champions League matches.
Predicted lineup for Club Brugge (4-3-3)
Simon Mignolet – Maxim De Cuyper, Brandon Mechele, Joel Ordonez, Kyran Sabbe – Raphael Onyedika, Ardon Jashari, Hans Vanaken – Ferran Jutgla, Chemsdine Talbi, Christos Tzolis.
Defenders Joaquin Sais and Bjorn Meijer will miss the match due to injuries.
Referee
Daniel Siebert (Germany)
Matches – 8 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 37;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.6;
Red cards shown – 4;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 25%.
Aston Villa vs. Club Brugge: Match Prediction
The English side started this Champions League campaign with a focus on solid defense, conceding just once in their first five matches. However, in their last four matches in this competition, Unai Emery's team has shifted their focus, scoring ten goals while conceding six. It's also worth noting that Birmingham's team conceded in both encounters with Club Brugge in this season's Champions League.
The Belgians, even away from home, tend to play boldly in attack and do not sit back in their penalty area. The club has not left the field without scoring in their last six away Champions League matches, even netting three times against Atalanta in the playoffs. However, during this period, Club Brugge has struggled defensively, keeping only one clean sheet and conceding a total of 13 goals.
I expect both teams to be effective in attack in this encounter. I anticipate goals from both sides, so my prediction: Both teams to score – yes
