Aston Villa claimed their first victory of the season and made a winning start on their Champions League return by beating Club Brugge 3-2 at the Jan Breydel Stadium. John McGinn scored Villas first goal of the season with a clinical finish from the right side of the box, with Emiliano Buendia and Nicolas Jackson putting the visitors 3-1 up at half-time after Brugge had briefly equalised through Hugo Vetlesen.But Nicolo Tresoldis penalty just after the hour mark reduced the arrears to set up a nervy second-half in Belgium, but Unai Emerys side were able to hold on to ensure they started their Champions League campaign with a much-needed three points.Table of ContentsVilla finally off the markNervy second half in BelgiumVilla finally off the markVilla have failed to score in any of their three Premier League games so far but it took just 19 minutes for them to find the net at the Jan Breydel Stadium, which they were visiting for the third time in two years, with McGinn the man to finally find the net for the Villans.A driving run forward from Pau Torres ended up at McGinn to the right side of the box, which the skipper swept home in trademark style to put them in front.The lead did not last long, however, with Jan Virgili beating Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the left and squaring the ball to an unmarked Vetlesen, who found the back of the net.But a thrilling Champions League opener took another twist when some lovely work by summer signing Joao Gomes allowed Buendia to tuck home a finish to make it 2-1, and there was time for the Villans to go 3-1 up before the break.It was centre-back Torres once again who was once again at the heart of it, playing a testing ball forward which forced Yan Sommer out of his goal, but new striker Jackson was alert to get their first and eventually tap the ball into an empty net.Nervy second half in BelgiumUnai Emerys side would have wanted to see the game out in measured fashion in the second half but the Belgian champions had different ideas, with a nervy second half set up when a penalty was awarded for a Wan-Bissaka handball.Tresoldi tucked home the penalty, and the hosts spent much of the second period well and truly on top, with Zion Suzuki forced into a number of saves, particularly from set pieces.Jackson tested the oppoosing stopper with a chance on the break but Brugge continued to pile the pressure on the Premier League side, who are still not the finished article after plenty of unheaval over the summer.Substitute Alysson should probably have got to a George Hemmings ball across the box for a goal which would have put the game beyond doubt, with the young Brazilian seeing another chance from a set piece blocked as Villa pushed for a game-sealing goal.Another wave of Brugge pressure came in the closing stages, with Villa forced to dig and try and see the game out, with key clearances from Victor Lindelof and others doing just enough as the game reached the final few minutes. Topics Aston Villa F.C. Club Brugge KV Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read WATCH: John McGinn gives Aston Villa lead in thriller with Brugge Mitch Fretton 8th September, 2026 LIVE Club Brugge v Aston Villa: Commentary, updates, goals and stats Jon Fisher 8th September, 2026 Club Brugge v Aston Villa: Confirmed team news and full line-ups Jon Fisher 8th September, 2026 Goretzkas Villa debut delayed until after international break Nicholas McGee 7th September, 2026 Champions League Predictions: Delight for Manchester clubs and Arsenal but frustration for Villa and Liverpool Jon Fisher 7th September, 2026 Hull 0-0 Aston Villa: Report, result and goals as Villans remain scoreless in Premier League Mitch Fretton 5th September, 2026
