The second leg of the 2024/25 Champions League Round of 16 between Aston Villa (England) and Club Brugge (Belgium) will take place on March 12 at Villa Park in Birmingham. The first match ended 3-1 in favor of Aston Villa. Aston Villa vs. Club Brugge: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Aston Villa
Unai Emery's team was stronger than Club Brugge in the first leg on their turf (3-1). As a result, Aston Villa secured their sixth victory in the current Champions League campaign. Additionally, the club has scored at least three goals for the fourth time in this edition of the Champions League. To progress to the next round, the English side needs to avoid losing by more than one goal in regulation time. Notably, the club has not participated in Europe's premier club competition since the 1982/83 season, when they reached the quarter-finals.
- At least one of the opponents failed to score in regulation time in 6 of the team's last 9 Champions League matches.
- The club has not won the first half in their last eight Champions League games (7 draws, 1 loss).
- The English side has kept a clean sheet in regulation time in 3 of their last 4 home Champions League matches.
Predicted lineup for Aston Villa (4-2-3-1)
Emiliano Martinez – Ezri Konsa, Axel Disasi, Tyrone Mings, Lucas Digne – John McGinn, Youri Tielemans – Morgan Rogers, Leon Bailey, Marcus Rashford – Ollie Watkins.
Midfielders Ross Barkley and Amadou Onana will miss out due to injuries.
Club Brugge
Nicky Hayen's side suffered their fourth defeat in the current Champions League, conceding three goals each time. However, the team has managed to score in nine of their last ten matches in this tournament. To advance to the next round, the club needs to win by at least three goals in regulation time. If they win by two goals, extra time will be played. Notably, Club Brugge has not reached the quarter-finals of Europe's elite club competition since the 1977/78 season.
- The club has not won in regulation time in 6 of their last 8 away Champions League matches (3 draws, 3 losses).
- Both opponents scored in 5 of the team's last 6 away matches in this European competition.
- The Belgian side has scored exactly one goal in regulation time in 5 of their last 6 away Champions League games.
Predicted lineup for Club Brugge (4-3-3)
Simon Mignolet – Maxim De Cuyper, Brandon Mechele, Joel Ordonez, Kyran Sabbé – Raphael Onyedika, Ardon Jashari, Hans Vanaken – Ferran Jutglà, Chemsdine Talbi, Christos Tzolis.
Defenders Joaquin Sais and Bjorn Meijer will miss out due to injuries.
Aston Villa vs. Club Brugge: Match Prediction
The English side started this Champions League campaign focusing on solid defense, scoring few goals but conceding just once in the first five matches. However, in the last four games of this European campaign, Unai Emery's side shifted their focus: during this period, they scored ten goals while conceding six. Moreover, they conceded in both encounters with Club Brugge in the current Champions League.
The Belgians, even away from home, strive to attack boldly and do not sit back in their penalty area. The club has not left the field without scoring in their last six away Champions League games, and even scored three times against Atalanta in the playoffs. However, during this period, Club Brugge has not been flawless in defense, keeping only one clean sheet and conceding a total of 13 goals.
I believe both sides will effectively attack in this clash. I expect both teams to score, so my prediction: Both teams to score – yes
