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Aston Villa will make their return to the Champions League on Tuesday, when they travel to face Club Brugge at Jan Breydelstadion.
Unai Emery's side were absent from the competition last season, though they left the campaign with the Europa League trophy, while Club Brugge were eliminated by Atletico Madrid in the knockout-stage playoff.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Club Brugge vs Aston Villa key stats
- Both teams scored in five of Aston Villa's last seven Champions League games.
- Club Brugge’s last 15 Champions League games have produced at least three goals.
- At least four goals were scored in five of Aston Villa's past seven Champions League games.
- Nicolas Jackson has averaged a goal contribution every two games in the Champions League in his career.
Club Brugge vs Aston Villa preview: A reprise from the Premier League?
Club Brugge vs Aston Villa — Tale of the Tape
| Club Brugge | vs | Aston Villa |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd (Belgian Pro League) | Position | 17th (Premier League) |
| 12 | Points | 1 |
| 9 | Goals For | 0 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 5 |
| 4 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 6th | Home / Away Rank | 16th |
Club Brugge have enjoyed a strong start to the Belgian top flight, with the club currently third in the table with 12 points from 15, and they are only three points from first-placed Gent.
The hosts will not remember their previous meetings with Villa fondly given they were beaten in two of their three encounters in 2024-25, losing 3-1 at home in March 2025 before suffering a 3-0 defeat in England in the same month.
However, Brugge did win 1-0 at Jan Breydelstadion in November 2024 in the league phase, while they come into their next matchup having won four of their last five fixtures in all competitions.
Boss Ivan Leko will hope that striker Nicolo Tresoldi is at his best, with the forward looking to score for the fourth time this campaign.
Aston Villa will be desperate for a respite from their woes in England, with the club winless in their first three games of the league season.
A 1-0 defeat to Arsenal was an understandable result given they are currently the reigning champions, but they also lost 4-0 to Brighton & Hove Albion on the opening weekend, while they most recently drew 0-0 with Hull City Saturday.
Unai Emery will be immensely frustrated by the start to 2026-27 that his team have made, but fans will cling to the fact he has often excelled in Europe, with his five Europa League medals standing as evidence of his abilities.
Villa will be without Amadou Onana for much of the campaign due to a knee injury, but there is a strong chance that Leon Goretzka could feature in midfield in some capacity.
Club Brugge vs Aston Villa form guide & betting tips
| Club Brugge | vs | Aston Villa |
|---|---|---|
WWWLW |
Form | LLLD |
| 9 | Goals For | 1 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 7 |
N/A |
Champions League | N/A |
Whispers predicts: Club Brugge 2-2 Aston Villa
While the bookmakers see Aston Villa as favourites at 7/5 (2.4), there could be value in predicting a draw at 11/4 (3.75).
Given both teams scored in five of Aston Villa's last seven Champions League games, backing Both Teams to Score at 4/7 (1.57) would be a strong starting bet.
Games involving Villa in the Champions League in 2024-25 often saw at least four goals scored, so it would make sense to back Over 3.5 Goals at 7/4 (2.75).
There may be some value in predicting Villa striker Jackson to be involved in the action given he has contributed directly in half of his 10 Champions League games, and that makes a prediction of Nicolas Jackson to Score or Assist at 7/4 (2.75) worthwhile.
> Both Teams to Score at 4/7 (1.57) | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 3.5 Goals at 7/4 (2.75) | Likelihood: Possible
> Nicolas Jackson to Score or Assist at 7/4 (2.75) | Likelihood: Possible