Aston Villa's Leon Bailey reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Aston Villa and Chelsea, at Villa Park Stadium in Birmingham, England, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Dave

Aston Villa will be favourites to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals after scoring two late goals to beat Club Brugge in Belgium. Leon Bailey had given the Premier League club a lightning start in the last-16 first-leg tie - Villa's first knockout tie in European football's premier competition since the 1982-83 quarter-finals.

Leon Bailey volleys Aston Villa into an early lead against Club Brugge in their Champions League last 16 first-leg game at the Jan Breydelstadion.

Players celebrate after Aston Villa's Leon Bailey scored the opening goal during the Champions League round of 16 first leg soccer match between Club Brugge and Aston Villa at the

Unai Emery will be buzzing after his Aston Villa side managed a 1-0 win over Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Champions League latest score and updates after Leon Bailey goal - Unai Emery’s men impressed during the league phase and must now fight past the Belgian side

Aston Villa have taken a big step towards reaching the last eight of the Champions League after they defeated Club Brugge 3-1 in the Round of 16 first leg, away from home. Two goals in the final ten

Unai Emery has an embarrassment of riches in his attack after signing Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Donyell Malen in the winter window

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The Jamaica winger insists he's happy to compete for a place alongside January arrivals Marco Asensio, Marcus Rashford and Donyell Malen. Bailey said, "There is always competition, but that is not the most important thing. I think the most important thing is to be able to play well together.

Opponents Brentford are winless in their last five Premier League games against Villa, having gone unbeaten in the preceding eight. They won seven of their opening eight league home matches this season but are now winless in the last six, drawing two and losing four.

Aston Villa defeated Club Brugge 3-1 in the Champions League. Here are the players who surprised — and the ones who disappointed.