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Aston Villa ended their three-week goal drought on Tuesday as they began their Champions League campaign with a 3-2 victory over Club Brugge at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
The win was a welcome relief for Unai Emery’s side, who had endured a difficult start to the new season following a turbulent summer that saw several key players leave the club.
Villa had failed to score in their opening three Premier League matches and managed just one shot on target during that run. However, they rediscovered their attacking threat in Belgium to secure their first victory of the campaign.
John McGinn opened the scoring in the 11th minute, curling a fine finish beyond Yann Sommer after Pau Torres created the opportunity with an incisive run and pass.
Club Brugge responded seven minutes later when Hugo Vetlesen fired into the bottom corner after Jan Virgili’s surging run exposed weaknesses in Villa’s defence.
Villa quickly restored their lead, with Emiliano Buendia producing an assured finish in the 21st minute after being picked out by Joao Gomes.
The visitors extended their advantage shortly before half-time when Nicolas Jackson held off two defenders, rounded Sommer and calmly finished into an empty net.
The goal was a significant moment for Jackson, who joined Villa from Chelsea for £65 million after a difficult spell at Stamford Bridge.
Club Brugge reduced the deficit in the 61st minute after Aaron Wan-Bissaka handled Joaquin Seys’ cross inside the penalty area.
Nicolo Tresoldi converted the resulting penalty to set up a tense final half-hour.
Brugge pushed strongly for an equaliser and came close when Tresoldi’s header was fumbled onto the post by Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
Tresoldi had another opportunity in stoppage time, but his header went straight at Suzuki as Villa held on for a crucial victory.
The result gives Emery’s side their first win of the season and their first goals after three frustrating weeks without finding the net.
Villa’s summer rebuilding programme was prompted partly by the club’s need to comply with football’s financial regulations, with Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins, Youri Tielemans, Emiliano Martinez, Lucas Digne and Ezri Konsa among those who departed.
The victory provides an early indication that Emery may be able to successfully reshape the squad following the upheaval.
Villa, who won the Europa League last season to end a 30-year trophy drought, will now turn their attention to their Premier League meeting with Nottingham Forest before returning to Champions League action against Fenerbahce in October.
