By Aston Villa advanced comfortably into a Champions League quarter-final with Paris St-Germain. They cruised to victory against Club Brugge at Villa Park.
Unai Emery’s side were in prime position. They protected a 3-1 advantage from the first leg in Belgium. The tie was put out of reach of the visitors following the half-time introduction of on-loan talisman Marco Asensio.
The first 45 minutes were risk-free. The only notable event was Club Brugge defender Kyriani Sabbe’s 16th-minute red card. He received the card for hauling back Marcus Rashford as Rashford chased keeper Emiliano Martinez’s long clearance.
Asensio has been outstanding since his arrival from PSG. He secured Villa’s passage into the last eight five minutes after coming on. This was achieved with a neat finish from Leon Bailey’s clever pass.
Ian Maatsen added the second from close range seven minutes later. It was his first for the club. This followed good work by Morgan Rogers. Then Asensio added his second and Villa’s third after 61 minutes. It was a simple finish set up perfectly by Rashford.
Emery and Asensio will both face their former club. The club was the conqueror of Liverpool at the last-16 stage. They will meet in the last eight of the Champions League.
Emery’s perfect Villa game plan
Unai Emery’s European expertise was evident. He achieved three Europa League triumphs with Sevilla and another as Villarreal coach. This expertise was on show as Aston Villa reached the Champions League last eight in consummate fashion.
Emery ensured Villa avoided any Club Brugge counter punches in a first half cloaked in caution. Their cause was helped by the Belgians being reduced to 10 men following Sabbe’s sending off.
Villa had reached the first half without any alarms. Emery then stepped up the pace. He introduced Asensio and Bailey.
The change worked perfectly. The pair combined for Villa’s first goal. This effectively snuffed out any slim chance of a Club Brugge comeback. They had played some neat first-half football without posing any serious threat.
Villa pressed home their advantage with two more quick goals as the Belgians subsided. Asensio once more proved what a quality addition he has been. He signed on loan from PSG. These two goals against Club Brugge took his tally to seven goals in eight games.
The good news for Villa and Emery is that Asensio can play against his parent club. This is possible in the last eight under European football legislation.
He brings class and experience to Villa. He won the Champions League three times at Real Madrid. The deal is proving to be a masterstroke.
It was a good night for another on-loan Villa star, Rashford, who continued his renaissance since arriving from Manchester United.
Rashford worked tirelessly. He forced Sabbe into the challenge that resulted in his early dismissal. Then Rashford unselfishly set up Villa’s third for Asensio. He showed some touches of his old class as the closing stages turned into a stroll.
Villa’s Champions League dream goes on
Fireworks criss-crossed Villa Park before kick-off against Club Brugge. They lit up the sky at the end when victory was assured. A mouth-watering quarter-final with Paris St-Germain was then rubber-stamped.
Villa broke through the Premier League’s glass ceiling last season. They reached the top four to qualify for the Champions League. A respectable run in the new format was their first ambition.
Emery, however, is the European specialist. He sets his sights higher. Now, Villa is in the last eight against the club he served as coach. He was with that club for two years with mixed fortunes.
PSG have shown true pedigree. They beat Manchester City in the league table format. Then, they overcame Liverpool, a favourite of many, with outstanding performances over two legs.
Villa will go in as underdogs. However, the master European plotter Emery will believe he can come up with a plan. He aims to tame the array of attacking talent PSG possess, led by Ousmane Dembele.
These are heady days for Villa – and with Emery at the helm anything is possible in Europe.
