Aston Villa vs Club Brugge Prediction: Emery’s men to get the job done

Aston Villa weren't at their best in the first leg of their Uefa Champions League round of 16 tie against Club Brugge, but they came away from Belgium with a 3-1 lead. They will look to get the job done when they face each other at Villa Park on Wednesday (20:00, TNT Sports 1).

The visitors are winless in their last four matches coming into this, but they know firsthand that the Villans are shaky at the back. Below you will find my Aston Villa vs Club Brugge predictions, aided by the latest match odds and team news.

Aston Villa vs Club Brugge Odds

Villa are unbeaten at home in the Champions League this season in four appearances, winning three of them. They are 4/6, which has an implied probability of 60%, to win inside 90 minutes.

The hosts draw inside this stadium came against Juventus, while the visitors drew two of their eight league phase matches, one of which came on their travels against Celtic. The stalemate can be backed at 7/2 (22.2%).

Club Brugge have won two of their five away contests in this competition this term and they are 18/5 to prevail in regulation time.

Over 3.5 goals has been a successful bet in Villa's previous two outings in the Champions League, and it is marketed at 13/8 on Wednesday.

Football Odds

Team News

Villa have had several injury absentees in recent weeks but their squad is looking a lot healthier now as only Ross Barkley (calf) and Amadou Onana (thigh) the players still in the treatment room.

Emiliano Martinez and Marco Asensio were both missing in the Premier League clash with Brentford on Saturday but both are expected to be back in contention on Wednesday.

Pau Torres will be eager to reclaim his spot on the left side of the defence following an ankle injury, but he will tussle with Tyrone Mings for a spot in the back four. Tradtional centre-back Axel Disasi looks set to keep his place at right-back after a strong performance at the weekend.

For the visitors, they are missing Joaquin Seys who has been out for the last two games with a hamstring problem, while Bjorn Meijer has a similar issue.

Hans Vanaken, the match-winner against Villa in Bruges during the league phase, is set to make his 50th Champions League appearance.

He is set to link up with Spanish forward Ferran Jutgla, who scored twice at the weekend and has netted six goals in his last seven outings, and teenage winger Chemsdine Talbi, who himself has three in as many matches in Europe coming into this.

Aston Villa and both teams to score (in 90 mins) @ 2/1

Villa will be feeling confident coming into the home leg with a two-goal cushion, especially as they still managed to score three when not playing at their best. They tend to perform better in front of the Villa Park faithful, which is highlighted by their unbeaten record here in the Champions League.

Unai Emery will look to tighten things up at the back given the frailties that were on show in Bruges, but the Villans were certainly solid against Brentford last time out.

I think Villa have enough attacking options to get the job done in B6, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the visitors come out the traps quickly because the onus is on them to attack here given the two-goal deficit.

That's why I've added BTTS to the selection. There are still too many question marks surrounding Villa's back line, and I think they will be in for a few nervy moments on Wednesday night.

Morgan Rogers anytime goalscorer @ 2/1

Morgan Rogers has arguably been Villa's best player this season and I think he could be primed to play a starring role in this second leg. He is so good with the ball and can glide past players effortlessly.

He has had a big hand in goals and assists this year, with four goal involvements in the Champions League to date. The former Middlesbrough man has been key for Emery this term and has already delivered a strong performance in this competition against Celtic.

I think Club Brugge will be the next club to witness just what he is capable of when playing at Villa Park.

Offers

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