Aston Villa completed a comfortable passage into a Champions League quarter-final with Paris St-Germain after cruising to victory against Club Brugge at Villa Park.
Unai Emery’s side were in prime position as they protected a 3-1 advantage from the first leg in Belgium, putting the tie out of the reach of the visitors following the half-time introduction of on-loan talisman Marco Asensio.
A risk-free first 45 minutes was only notable for Club Brugge defender Kyriani Sabbe’s 16th-minute red card for hauling back Marcus Rashford as he chased keeper Emiliano Martinez’s long clearance.
Asensio, outstanding since his arrival from PSG, secured Villa’s passage into the last eight five minutes after coming on with a neat finish from Leon Bailey’s clever pass.
Ian Maatsen added the second from close range seven minutes later, his first for the club, following 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.
It means Emery and Asensio will both face their former club, conquerors of Liverpool at the last-16 stage, in the last eight of the Champions League.
Emery’s perfect Villa game plan
Unai Emery’s European expertise, which brought him three Europa League triumphs with Sevilla and another as Villarreal coach, was on show as Aston Villa reached the Champions League last eight in consummate fashion.
Emery ensured Villa did not fall foul of any Club Brugge counter punches in a first half cloaked in caution, their cause helped by the Belgians being reduced to 10 men following Sabbe’s sending off.
Once Villa had reached first half without any alarms, Emery stepped up the pace with the introduction of Asensio and Bailey.
The change worked perfectly as the pair combined for Villa’s first goal, effectively snuffing out any slim chance of a Club Brugge comeback after 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 proving what a quality addition he has been since signing on loan from PSG. These two goals against Club Brugge took his tally to seven goals in eight games.
And the good news for Villa and Emery is Asensio is able to play against his parent club in the last eight under European football legislation.
He brings class and experience to Villa after winning the Champions League three times at Real Madrid, the deal 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, forced Sabbe into the challenge that resulted in his early dismissal, then unselfishly set up Villa’s third for Asensio, showing some touches of his old class as the closing stages turned into a stroll.
