Club Brugge vs Aston Villa: UCL Round of 16 Odds, Lineups & Predictions

Explore our detailed preview for Club Brugge vs Aston Villa in the Champions League Round of 16. Key stats, predictions, and lineups for the 17:45 GMT match.

• Fixture: Club Brugge vs Aston Villa
• Competition: UEFA Champions League – Round of 16 (First Leg)
• Date: Tuesday, 4 March 2025
• Kick-off: 17:45 GMT
• Venue: Jan Breydelstadion, Bruges
  

A place in the Champions League quarter-finals is at stake as Club Brugge host Aston Villa in a crucial first-leg tie. With Villa eager to revive their European ambitions and Brugge determined to defend their home turf, this matchup promises tactical intrigue and high-pressure action.

• Over 2.5 Goals: 43% chance (implying a low-scoring affair)
• Both Teams to Score: 48.85% probability
• Win Probability: Club Brugge: 55% (approximate), Aston Villa: 35% (approximate), Draw: 10% (approximate)

Will Brugge’s strong home form and compact defensive setup neutralise Villa’s attacking talent, or can Villa overcome their historical struggles in Europe?

Match Prediction: Club Brugge 1-1 Aston Villa

Recent Matches (All Competitions):

• Draw: Gent 1-1 Club Brugge (Belgian Pro League)
• Loss: Club Brugge 1-2 Standard Liège (Belgian Pro League)
• Win: Atalanta 1-3 Club Brugge (UEFA Champions League)
• Draw: Sint-Truiden 2-2 Club Brugge (Belgian Pro League)
• Win: Club Brugge 2-1 Atalanta (UEFA Champions League)

Key Insights:

• Club Brugge advanced by eliminating Atalanta with a 5-2 aggregate win in the knockout play-offs, demonstrating resilience.
• A previous 1-0 win over Aston Villa earlier this season gives them confidence.
• However, they have struggled against English opposition, with only one win in their last 16 matches against Premier League teams.
  

 Recent Matches (All Competitions)

• Win: Aston Villa 2-0 Cardiff City (FA Cup)
• Loss: Crystal Palace 4-1 Aston Villa (Premier League)
• Win: Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea (Premier League)
• Draw: Aston Villa 2-2 Liverpool (Premier League)
• Draw: Aston Villa 1-1 Ipswich (Premier League)

Key Insights:

• Villa finished 8th in the Champions League league phase, qualifying directly for the round of 16 in their first-ever campaign.
• This is Villa’s first Champions League knockout tie since the 1982/83 season.
• Their away record in Europe remains mixed, having suffered defeats at Club Brugge and Monaco this season despite some notable wins.
  

Strengths:

• Excellent home form in Europe, winning three of their last 4 home matches in the Champions League.
• Hans Vanaken provides a creative spark in midfield.
• Quick transitions and the ability to exploit defensive gaps.

Weaknesses:

• Vulnerable to high pressing from well-organised teams.
• Historically struggle against English opposition, having conceded 17 goals in their last five matches versus Premier League sides.
  

Strengths:

• Ollie Watkins is in excellent goal-scoring form.
• Leon Bailey and Marcus Rashford offer pace and width on the flanks.
• Tactical flexibility under Unai Emery can exploit Brugge’s high defensive line.

Weaknesses:

• Defensive inconsistency, having conceded 10 goals in their last five games.
• Poor historical record versus Belgian teams (record of 1 win, 1 draw, 3 losses).
• Limited Champions League experience compared to Club Brugge.
  

Club Brugge (4-2-3-1):

• Goalkeeper: Simon Mignolet
• Defenders: Joaquin Seys, Brandon Mechele, Joel Ordonez, Maxim De Cuyper
• Midfielders: Raphael Onyedika, Ardon Jashari
• Attacking Midfielders:  Chemsdine Talbi, Hans Vanaken, Christos Tzolis
• Forwards: Ferran Jutgla

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1):

• Goalkeeper: Emiliano Martínez
• Defenders: Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne
• Midfielders: Youri Tielemans, John McGinn
• Attacking Midfielders: Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio, Morgan Rogers 
• Forward: Ollie Watkins
  

• Club Brugge’s strong home record and compact defensive organisation suggest they can hold Villa.
• Villa’s attacking talent gives them a chance to score, yet Brugge’s defensive discipline is likely to limit the goals.
• A low-scoring draw appears to be the most likely outcome.
  

Expect a tight, tactical battle in Bruges, where both teams have everything to play for as they set the stage for a dramatic second leg. With the quarter-final spot on the line, this match is not one to miss.

Who will take the advantage in this crucial tie—Brugge with their strong home form or Villa with their attacking prowess? The outcome could be decided by a single moment.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.