Nicolas Jackson Off the Mark as Aston Villa Open Champions League with Club Brugge Win

Aston Villa made a winning start to their UEFA Champions League campaign on Tuesday night, beating Club Brugge 3-2 in Belgium after an impressive first-half attacking display.

John McGinn, Emiliano Buendía and summer signing Nicolas Jackson were all on target for Unai Emery’s side, who responded to a difficult start to the Premier League season by taking all three points from their opening European fixture. Villa registered 21 attempts and nine shots on target despite having just 35 per cent possession, with their counter-attacking play causing problems throughout the evening.

Champions League Hospitality at Villa Park

Villa’s European campaign now turns towards four major Champions League nights at Villa Park, with Fenerbahçe, Viking FK, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund all travelling to Birmingham during the league phase. Eventmasters hospitality is available for all four fixtures, including The Lower Grounds Premium package, which combines official Doug Ellis Stand seating with inclusive food, a complimentary bar of selected drinks, former player discussions and access before and after the game.

Fenerbahçe arrive on 14th October before Villa host Viking on 21st October. PSG visit Villa Park on 8th December, while Borussia Dortmund are scheduled to make the trip to Birmingham on 19th January 2027. With the North Stand closed for redevelopment throughout 2026/27 and Villa Park operating at a temporarily reduced capacity, opportunities to attend some of the biggest European fixtures of the season are more limited.

McGinn Gives Villa the Perfect Start

Villa entered the game having failed to score across their opening three Premier League matches, but it took just 11 minutes for that run to end. Pau Torres carried the ball forward from defence before finding captain McGinn, who placed his first-time finish into the bottom corner.

The goal also made McGinn the first scorer of the entire 2026/27 Champions League league phase. Club Brugge responded eight minutes later when Hugo Vetlesen found the bottom corner to bring the Belgian champions level.

Villa did not take long to regain control. João Gomes created the opening for Buendía three minutes after Brugge’s equaliser, with the Argentine arriving inside the area to finish from close range.

The visitors continued to threaten whenever they broke forward and added a third shortly before half-time. Torres played a long pass beyond the Brugge defence and Jackson beat goalkeeper Yann Sommer to the ball before finishing into the empty net. It was the striker’s first goal since completing his move to Villa during the summer.

Villa Hold Firm After Brugge Fightback

Club Brugge increased the pressure after the interval and were given a route back into the contest on 61 minutes. Aaron Wan-Bissaka was penalised for handball following a VAR review, allowing Nicolo Tresoldi to convert from the penalty spot.

The hosts came close to an equaliser soon afterwards when Tresoldi’s header was pushed onto the post by Zion Suzuki. Villa also had chances to put the contest beyond Brugge, including an effort from Lamare Bogarde that was cleared off the line late in the game.

Emery made changes as Villa looked to regain control and his side saw out the closing stages to secure an important opening victory.

After the game, Emery said: “Today was another step forward. We must work hard – it is the only way. This is the process that we must try to set. Today we did one very important step forward, being resilient when we were struggling.”

He added: “The subs impacted the game well and we regained control of the game. Brugge are strong and confident here. We did a very complete match, competing in 90 minutes.”

Jackson Opens His Villa Account

Jackson’s first Villa goal was another major positive from the evening after the striker led the line for Emery in Belgium.

His pace behind the Brugge defence offered Villa a consistent outlet, particularly during a first half in which the visitors repeatedly created opportunities without needing to dominate possession. Buendía and McGinn also provided support around him, while George Hemmings was handed his first Champions League appearance.

McGinn felt the performance was an important test for Villa’s reshaped squad.

“It was so important to show a real gritty performance and get a victory at a very tough place to play,” the captain said.

“It’s a new Villa and it was a big test for the new players to dig in. It was Joao Gomes and George Hemmings’ first Champions League games. It’s not easy to go away at a place like this in difficult weather conditions.”

Villa Make Winning Start in Europe

The victory gives Villa three points from their opening Champions League league phase fixture and continues their strong recent record against Club Brugge.

The two sides had already met three times during the 2024/25 competition. Brugge won their first meeting in Belgium, but Villa responded with 3-1 and 3-0 victories during the round of 16 before adding another win on Tuesday night.

Attention will now return to domestic football before Villa’s Champions League campaign resumes in October. Their next European game is also their first at home, with Fenerbahçe visiting Villa Park on Wednesday 14th October.

Aston Villa Champions League FAQs

What was the Club Brugge vs Aston Villa score?

Aston Villa beat Club Brugge 3-2 in Belgium on Tuesday 8th September 2026. John McGinn, Emiliano Buendía and Nicolas Jackson scored for Villa.

Who scored Aston Villa’s first Champions League goal of 2026/27?

John McGinn scored Villa’s opening goal after 11 minutes. His strike was also the first goal scored anywhere in the 2026/27 Champions League league phase.

Who are Aston Villa playing at Villa Park in the Champions League?

Villa will host Fenerbahçe, Viking FK, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund during the 2026/27 Champions League league phase.

When is Aston Villa’s next Champions League match?

Villa’s next Champions League fixture is against Fenerbahçe at Villa Park on Wednesday 14th October 2026.

Can I book Aston Villa Champions League hospitality with Eventmasters?

Yes. Eventmasters offers Aston Villa hospitality for all four of the club’s Champions League league phase fixtures at Villa Park, with packages available for games against Fenerbahçe, Viking FK, Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.