Club Brugge v Aston Villa: Champions League – live | Champions League




Key events

On the Club Brugge team sheet, the most familiar name to British readers is veteran keeper Simon Mignolet, formerly of Liverpool and Sunderland. They are missing some key players tonight – Raphael Onyedika is suspended, and fellow midfielder Hugo Vetlesen only on the bench as he recovers from injury.

Striker Gustaf Nilsson, signed from Union SG in the summer, is also out injured, leaving Hayen’s side without an attacking focal point. They have plenty of creative talent, though, in the likes of Andreas Skov Olsen, Spanish forward Ferran Jutglà and Greek winger Christos Tzolis, who scored a belter in the team’s away win over Sturm Graz.

Share

Some pre-game reading, on more Fun and Games in South America:

Share

Plenty o’ changes from Unai Emery after the 4-1 shoeing at Tottenham, with Diego Carlos, Tyrone Mings and Ian Maatsen coming into the back four. Kamara replaces Onana in midfield, with Leon Bailey replacing Jacob Ramsey further forward. Ollie Watkins keeps his place ahead of Jhon Durán, who may not be too thrilled about it.

Share

Team news

Club Brugge (4-3-3): Mignolet; Seys, Ordoñez, Mechele, De Cuyper; Jashari, Nielsen, Vanaken (c); Skov Olsen, Tzolis, Jutgla.
Subs: Jackers, Romero, Vetlesen, Meijer, Vermant, Skoras, Siquet, Spileers, Sabbe, Talbi.

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martínez; Konsa, Diego Carlos, Mings, Maatsen; Kamara, Tielemans; Bailey, Rogers, McGinn (c); Watkins.
Subs: Gauci, Olsen, Durán, Buendia, Digne, Torres, Philogene-Bidace, Nedeljkovic, Onana, Bogarde, Ramsey, Swinkels.

Referee: Tobias Stieler (Germany)

Share

Updated at 

Preamble

Aston Villa’s Champions League run might be the feelgood story of the season so far – and we could all use a feelgood story right now, couldn’t we? In the Premier League, Villa have forced their way into an expanded “big eight” – and that’s also the very realistic target Unai Emery has set his players in Europe.

Victory in Belgium tonight would see Villa join Liverpool as the only teams with a 100% record from four games – and well on the way to securing a top-eight finish, and a golden ticket to the last 16. Emery’s side are yet to concede a goal in Europe this season, and will kick off against Club Brugge as warm favourites to make it four wins from four.

That said, the fixture list from here is tricky (Juventus and Celtic at home, Leipzig and Monaco away) and with the continental itinerary creating some domestic turbulence –and some big Premier League games to negotiate before the end of January – Emery will be very keen to get an extra three points on the board here.

Standing in their way are a team rediscovering their groove after struggling under Scott Parker and Ronny Deila, winning last season’s Belgian title and currently sitting second in the table. The new man in charge, Nicky Hayen, was manager of Haverfordwest County in early 2022, but is now building a reputation as a young coach to watch.

Share


Source link

Posted: 2024-11-06 18:18:06

Brian May unboxes unprecedented Queen album with unreleased content in new video | Music | Entertainment
 



... Read More

Doubts grow over Labour’s VAT plan for private schools | Private schools
 



... Read More

Clint Eastwood, 94, launches first trailer for possible final movie Juror No 2 | Films | Entertainment
 



... Read More

Do you have eyes like a hawk? Spot the odd word out in 9 seconds | Weird | News
 



... Read More

After Labour’s dour start, there’s still hope for sunshine from Starmer and Reeves | Jonathan Freedland
 



... Read More

Olympic moments that made us laugh, cry, and cheer at Paris 2024
 



... Read More

Tuberculosis symptoms: See a doctor if you have certain type of cough
 



... Read More

Hero RAF pilot lands jet in dark after controls fail | World | News
 



... Read More