Aston Villa v Club Brugge preview: Team news, lineups, betting odds, prediction
Aston Villa are looking to cement progression to the Champions League quarter-finals as they host Club Brugge on Wednesday.
The Villans secured a 3-1 victory in the first-leg of the round of 16 contest through goals from Leon Bailey, Marco Asensio and a Brandon Mechele own goal.
However, they will need to be on top form against the Belgians at Villa Park after an intense encounter last week (4 March).
Aston Villa v Club Brugge preview
The Villans enter the contest in a comfortable position after a commanding victory in the reverse fixture.
Unai Emery’s side have lost just one of their last eight in all competitions, the 4-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on 25 February.
However, due to a poor run of form beforehand, they face a tough route to securing a second consecutive Champions League berth and may have to win the competition to qualify again.
Meanwhile, the visitors come into the clash with mixed form, having won just two of their last six matches but will take confidence from the fact that they held the Premier League outfit at 1-1 for 82 minutes at the Jan Breydelstadion.
They will also look back to the 1-0 victory over Villa in the league-phase (3 November) as motivation but they will need to better than that result to even force extra-time on this occasion.
| Stats | Club Brugge | Aston Villa |
| Possession | 56% | 44% |
| Shots | 11 | 7 |
| Shots on target | 3 | 4 |
Team News
Unai Emery could be without star man Emi Martinez for the crucial clash, with Robin Olsen ready to step in against after a great performance against Brentford.
Matty Cash is expected to return at right-back with Axel Disasi replacing Tyrone Mings in the centre of defence.
Marcus Rashford might replace Jacob Ramsey on the left-flank with Leon Bailey keeping his spot on the right and Ollie Watkins leading the line.
Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley are ruled out for the contest and Asensio is a doubt with a knock.
The visitors have no new injury doubts and could go unchanged from the team that gave Villa a great fight in Belgium.
Predicted lineups
Aston Villa: Olsen, Cash, Disasi, Konsa, Digne, McGinn, Tielemans, Bailey, Rogers, Rashford, Watkins.
Club Brugge: Mignolet, Sabbe, Ordonez, Mechele, De Cuyper, Onyedika, Jashari, Talbi, Vanaken, Tzolis, Jutgla.
Betting Odds
Aston Villa : 3/5
Draw: 16/5
Club Brugge: 17/4
(Odds according to Bet 365 as of 10 March)
Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Club Brugge
The Belgians proved that they are a dangerous outfit in the two previous encounters against the B6 outfit but Villa should have too much quality.
Emery’s side are expected to secure progression given the fact that they are at home and have a two-goal advantage from the first-leg.
The recent form of Watkins may well be the difference between the sides on this occasion.