Unai Emery’s appointment as Aston Villa manager, at a time when the club was facing the prospect of relegation, was met with optimism due to his ambition to bring the team back into European competition. That dream now seems to be a reality as Villa secured a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals, setting up an exciting showdown with Paris Saint-Germain, one of Emery’s former clubs.
On a night that felt like a celebration of Villa’s journey, the fireworks over Villa Park signaled a job well done. Marco Asensio, on loan from PSG, was the star of the night, scoring twice in a comprehensive victory over Club Brugge. His sixth and seventh goals for Villa put the hosts in control after the visitors were reduced to 10 men early in the first half. Asensio, who came on at halftime, opened the scoring, Ian Maatsen doubled the lead, and Asensio added another just past the hour mark. The dominant performance earned Villa a 3-0 victory on the night, with Prince William seen cheering enthusiastically from the stands.
This victory ensured Villa’s place in the last eight of the Champions League, something few could have imagined when Emery took over. He had spoken of his desire to return Villa to European glory, and now, his team is on the brink of greatness, ready to face PSG in a clash that will carry extra significance for the manager.
Emery had warned his players not to be complacent ahead of the second leg, despite a solid two-goal advantage. He cited Brugge’s remarkable 3-1 win at Atalanta as proof that anything could happen. However, Villa’s early dominance made it clear that they had the upper hand. The match took a decisive turn in the 16th minute when Brugge’s Kyriani Sabbe fouled Marcus Rashford, resulting in a red card. From the ensuing free-kick, Youri Tielemans tested Brugge’s goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, but the match remained goalless at halftime.
Emery made tactical changes at the break, introducing Asensio and Leon Bailey. It took just five minutes for those changes to pay off. Bailey played a clever pass into the box, and Asensio, with a deft swivel, lashed the ball into the roof of the net. Though he hit the post shortly after, Asensio’s impact was undeniable. Maatsen made it 2-0 after a well-worked move with Bailey, and then Asensio completed his brace with another tap-in, courtesy of a Rashford assist.
Asensio has been a revelation since arriving on loan, and Villa supporters have begun to wonder whether the club could make the move permanent. Emery praised the Spanish forward for his professionalism and his ability to execute the plan laid out for him, even though he isn’t fully fit. For his part, Asensio seems happy to contribute in such a crucial season for Villa.
With the win sealed, Emery made several substitutions to rest key players, including Tyrone Mings, Morgan Rogers, and Matty Cash. Villa’s progress to the quarter-finals was never really in doubt after they had taken a commanding lead, and Emery could leave the pitch with a smile, knowing his team had done the job.
This historic achievement marks a significant shift for Villa, who, just a few years ago, were fighting relegation. Now, they are preparing for a Champions League quarter-final against PSG, and the stakes could not be higher. Tyrone Mings reflected on the remarkable rise, saying, “The Championship feels like a long time ago. I’m really enjoying the journey.” It’s a journey that continues to captivate Villa fans as their team aims for greatness on the European stage.
