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Aston Villa player ratings as Marco Asensio and Ian Maatsen shine in a famous 3-0 win over Club Brugge.
Aston Villa are through to the Champions League quarter-finals following a comfortable 3-0 win over Club Brugge at Villa Park, securing a dominant 6-1 aggregate victory in the round of 16.
Marco Asensio dazzled off the bench with a clinical brace and Ian Maatsen scored his first-ever Villa goal to see off the ten men of Brugge, setting up a quarter-final meeting with 12-time French Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.
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Unai Emery’s men started slowly in the first half as the visitors dominated possession despite right-back Kyriani Sabbe sent off in just the 16th minute for denying Marcus Rashford a goalscoring opportunity. Emiliano Martinez’s devastatingly accurate long pass - spanning a good 70 yards - was sprinted onto by Rashford, who was tugged down by Sabbe, Brugge’s last man.
A flurry of attacking flair at the start of the second period acted as the perfect response, however, as Villa scored three quickfire goals to settle any remaining nerves. Asensio had only just entered the field when he netted the opening goal in the 50th minute, combining well with fellow substitute Leon Bailey who teed him up with a delicate through pass. The Spaniard didn’t even look up as he swivelled instinctively and fired into the roof of the net.
Maatsen then made it two as he converted via the leg of Brandon Mechele from a Morgan Rogers cutback. There were suspicions of offside but Rogers timed his run to perfection and Maatsen delivered the goods for a memorable maiden strike for his new club.
It was then the man of the moment again, Asensio, who put the game properly beyond doubt with a composed first-time finish. Rashford did brilliantly to work space down the left flank before reaching the byline and cutting the ball back for Asensio to complete his brace. It could’ve been a hat-trick for Villa’s number 21 if it wasn’t for an agonising woodwork hit a few minutes earlier but he won’t care as he once again takes home the man of the match award.
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Villa were always the favourites going into tonight with their two-goal aggregate advantage but a professional display was still required to see the tie over the line. Emery’s men duly delivered on that front and will now meet PSG in the last eight following the Parisiens’ penalty shootout triumph over Liverpool at Anfield.
Aston Villa player ratings vs Brugge
Here’s how BirminghamWorld reporter Charlie Haffenden rated the players out of 10 on an historic night at Villa Park.
Emiliano Martinez - 8
Played the vital long pass to Rashford ahead of the Sabbe red card and will be relieved to have kept his first clean sheet since January 15. Only had one save to make all night as he denied Talbi in the first half.
Matty Cash - 7 (off 73’)
Had a sloppy first half as he gave away the ball cheaply on a few occasions. He sured up after the break, though, and worried Mignolet with a thunderous strike from range.
Ezri Konsa - 7
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Hardly put a foot wrong defensively as he contained Ferran Jutgla and Hans Vanaken in the first half and had very little to do in the second.
Tyrone Mings - 7 (off 66’)
Similarly to Konsa, Mings was solid to see off Brugge’s threat in the first 45. Nearly scored at the start of the second half as he stung Mignolet’s gloves with a rare shot inside the box.
Ian Maatsen - 9
Scored his first Villa goal and deservedly so as he chipped in with so many important interceptions and looked a threat going forward throughout. Often inverted inside to create an overload in attacking midfield and profited from a late run into the box for his goal. Teed up Rashford for a great opportunity just before the break.
Boubacar Kamara - 6 (off at HT)
Didn’t do anything special but got another 45 minutes in the tank, breaking up the play when required.
Youri Tielemans - 8
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Denied an assist from a perfectly-weighted pass over the top as Asensio hit the woodwork. Dictated the play throughout the Nearly scored a great long-ranger but saw his shot saved.
Morgan Rogers - 7
Linked up the play well between the lines, driving forward from attacking midfield in the first half and from left midfield or striker in the second. Another great example of his versatility.
Marcus Rashford - 8
Played a vital role in the Sabbe sending-off, making an excellent run for Martinez’s long pass to get there ahead of the Brugge defender. Assisted Asensio’s second goal with a great run and well-timed cutback. Deserved a goal for his relentless running at the Brugge back line but missed his big chance, scuffing wide from close range in the first half.
John McGinn - 8
Battled mightily hard in midfield throughout the second half, a proper captain’s performance.
Ollie Watkins - 6 (off at HT)
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Had a go from 45 yards when Mignolet was off his line but took too long to pull the trigger. Went down for treatment at the end of the first half, perhaps why he was taken off.
Marco Asensio - 9 (on at HT)
Scored a scintillating double to make it seven goals in his last five matches. The first was very instinctive and the second just as clinical. Hit the post otherwise would’ve had a famous hat-trick.
Leon Bailey - 7 (on at HT)
Provided a superb assist for Asensio’s first goal.