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Unai Emery’s side took a big step towards the last eight in Bruges by claiming a perhaps undeserved 3-1 victory. Brugge were superior for much of the contest after falling behind, but they were thwarted by the Villans before the visitors scored twice late on.
Villa have shone in Europe at Villa Park, and an extension of their unbeaten run at home in this competition will see them bypass their Belgian opponents.
Nicky Hayen’s side, however, have already sprung a surprise or two in this year’s competition. They gave Manchester City a scare on Matchday 8 of the league phase before stunning Atalanta in the play-off, winning both legs.
The visitors also head into the return leg having claimed local bragging rights against Cercle Brugge on Sunday.
Here is 90min’s guide to Wednesday’s second leg.
Marco Asensio and Emiliano Martinez missed Saturday’s win at Brentford, but the pair will be available for Wednesday’s second leg. Robin Olsen kept a clean sheet in the latter’s absence.
Villa’s injury list only includes Ross Barkley with Amadou Onana set for an imminent return. The dominant Belgian midfielder is unlikely to start on Wednesday but could earn minutes off the bench after several weeks out due to a hamstring injury.
Axel Disasi has impressed at the start of his Villa career and should keep his place in the starting XI, but Emery will have to decide whether to use the Frenchman at right-back or in the centre of his defence. The Villa boss can now, of course, call upon Pau Torres, while Tyrone Mings was a major reason why they won the first leg.
Aston Villa predicted lineup vs Club Brugge (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Disasi, Konsa, Mings, Digne; McGinn, Tielemans; Asensio, Rogers, Rashford; Watkins.
Joaquin Seys and Bjorn Meiler are both dealing with hamstring injuries which are bound to keep them out of action …
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