Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Champions League match.
Champions League group leaders Aston Villa head to face Club Brugge, who currently sit 26th in the standings. The Belgians have already faltered twice against top-tier opponents who employed a high defensive line—the same strategy the Birmingham side are likely to use.
Club Brugge
Despite a victory over Sturm Graz (1:0) in the second round, defeats to Borussia Dortmund (0:3) and AC Milan (1:3) leave Club Brugge outside of playoff contention. On the San Siro pitch, their downfall was contributed to by Raphael Onyedika's red card before halftime, allowing the opposition to establish a dominant xG of 1.22 against 0.57. Clearly, at home, the Belgians will need to attack, but the Ferran Jutglà - Christos Tzolis partnership still lacks the confidence and experience required at this level.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa's run of three clean-sheet victories has seen them remain, alongside Liverpool, one of the few unbeaten teams in the Champions League by early November. Against Bayern Munich (1:0), the Birmingham side patiently waited for their chance, while they dominated all 90 minutes at home against Bologna (2:0), creating an xG of 1.18 with 16 shots. After an elimination from the EFL Cup against Crystal Palace (1:2), they can focus on the Premier League and Champions League campaigns, where their star-studded lineup is expected to perform at its peak.
Club Brugge vs Aston Villa Prediction
Most likely, Aston Villa will take the initiative in Belgium, creating more scoring chances than Club Brugge, who struggle against top-tier teams. We recommend considering a bet on the Birmingham side with a handicap.
