--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-09-08T22:08:22.587Z last_updated: 2026-09-08T18:39:05+00:00 data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/aston-villa/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmlybWluZ2hhbW1haWwuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvZm9vdGJhbGwvZm9vdGJhbGwtbmV3cy9qb2huLXRvd25sZXlzLWFzdG9uLXZpbGxhLXBsYXllci0zNDU3OTY2MQ --- # John Townley's Aston Villa player ratings after 3-2 win at Club Brugge - **Source:** - **Published:** 8 Sept - **Club:** Aston Villa - **Original URL:** https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/john-townleys-aston-villa-player-34579661 John McGinn opened the scoring before Emi Buendia restored Villa’s lead and Nicolas Jackson scored his first goal for the club, all in the first half. Nicolo Tresoldi then reduced Brugge’s deficit from the spot following a handball by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, but Villa held on to secure victory. After winning at the Jan Breydel Stadium for the second time in 18 months, Emery now boasts the highest win percentage for a manager with 10 or more Champions League games in charge of an English side, at over 69 per cent, having won nine of his 13 matches. Villa started on top and created the first chance of the game inside the second minute, as goalkeeper Zion Suzuki pinged a perfect long ball to Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who was making his debut. He picked out McGinn, who played it to Buendia, but the Argentine curled his effort wide of the post. Suzuki was called into action in the seventh minute, palming Jan Virgili’s effort wide of the goal, shortly before Villa took the lead through McGinn. After Pau Torres drove into the final third, McGinn received the ball on the right and bent an unstoppable effort into Yann Sommer’s far corner. Villa were purring after going ahead, and 19-year-old George Hemmings was presented with two opportunities to double their advantage. However, Sommer made a brilliant save to deny him the first effort before Hemmings dragged the next one wide, both attempts coming with his weaker left foot. Villa were made to pay for those misses when they were momentarily pegged back as Hugo Vetlesen equalised after being picked out unmarked in the box. However, Buendia ensured Unai Emery’s side were back on top just three minutes later. Joao Gomes, who like Buendia was also making his Champions League debut, weaved his way into the box before finding his teammate across goal, with Sommer unable to prevent Villa from restoring their lead. Villa continued to dominate Brugge in the lead-up to half-time and managed to go into the break with a two-goal lead when Jackson was first to a ball that Brugge goalkeeper Sommer should never have come for, a long way from his goal. The Senegal international was then able to roll the ball into an empty net. McGinn passed up the chance to score his second and Villa’s fourth of the night early in the second half, clearing the bar after the goal opened up for him outside the box. Brugge were firmly back in the game on the hour mark through Tresoldi after referee Sandro Scharer awarded a penalty following a monitor check, having spotted Wan-Bissaka handle the ball inside the box. Gomes should have put the ball on a plate for McGinn in the 81st minute, which would surely have sealed the win, but he opted to shoot and saw his effort blocked. Substitute Lamare Bogarde then saw his shot cleared off the line from the resulting corner. This is Emery’s ninth Champions League campaign, with Villa being the third club he has managed in multiple editions of the competition, after Valencia and PSG. The Spanish coach has reached at least the quarter-finals in each of his last two Champions League campaigns. Suzuki became the first ever Japanese goalkeeper to play in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League. He played an equalise pass to Wan-Bissaka in the opening exchanges, which led to Villa's first chance. He parried a couple of shots either side of being beaten by Virgili. Outstanding distribution again and caught plenty of crosses. 6 Aaron Wan-Bissaka Wan-Bissaka made his debut for Villa tonight, coming into the team as Matty Cash was left at home due to muscle discomfort. He used the ball well when under pressure, but he served up a few over-hit crosses. Penalised for a handball which allowed Brugge back in the game. 6 Victor Lindelof Lindelof made an excellent block to prevent a Brugge shot flying towards the far corner, but Villa were undone just moments later when Virgili was left unmarked. 6 Torres played a key role in Villa's opener and stepped forward effectively in the 33rd minute too, which led to a corner. Punched passes into teammates' feet in advanced positions. Created the most chances in the match. 8 Maatsen was on a booking from early on after having a pop at a linesman. He drove the ball dangerously across the box in the 30th minute, but there were no takers. Defended well against the tricky Forbs despite being on a yellow card. 7 Boubacar Kamara Kamara made a key block from a header the 56th minute. He allowed Gomes to venture further forward tonight. Still needs to be managed after spending the second half of last season injured. 7 Before he serves the final of his three-game league suspension on Saturday, Gomes was able to feature tonight. He was brilliant in various areas of his game tonight, and could have had a couple of assists on another night, having made a chance for Hemmings before finding Buendia later in hte first half. Showed effective balance to ride challenges and get across the pitch well. 8 Just like last season, McGinn scored Villa's first goal in Europe, and what a lovely finsih it was. He was denied in 32nd minute by Sommer with a similar effort. Couldn't beleive that Gomes opted to shoot rather than square for McGinn late on. 8 After passing up on a presentale chance early on, Buendia restored Villa's lead by being in the right place at the right time, gobbling up Gomes ball across the box. A bit more power on a pass he played to Jackson would have set the striker away on the break, just before the Senegal international scored in a different phase of play. 7 George Hemmings Hemmings became just the second teenager to start for Villa in a European Cup/UEFA Champions League game, after Mark Walters against Juventus in March 1983. He is looking more comfertable with each passing game, but will be a little dissapointed that he couldn't mark his Champions League debut with a goal. Showed his growing maturity in the second half to take the ball on the left. Ran his socks off. 7 Nicolas Jackson Jackson is showing more and more signs that he will be able to combine well with his new teammates. He would have been in on goal had Buendia's pass to him been more powerful, but he got his goal after winning the ball first against Sommer after the goalkeeper raced off his line. 7 Lamare Bogarde (for Wan-Bissaka, 68'): Bogarde slotted in at right-back in place of Wan-Bissaka. Unlucky not to score Villa's fourth, as his effort was cleared off the line. 6 Alysson (for Buendia, 68'): Attracted markers on the wing and glided past opponents when he stepped inside the pitch. 6 Ross Barkley (for Kamara, 68'): Lost the ball cheaply after coming on, leading to a dangerous Brugge break. Put his hand up in apology after giving the ball away inside his own box late on. 5 Tammy Abraham (for Jackson, 82'): N/A Subs not used: Bizot, Wright, Mings, Ruggeri, Garnacho, Mbaye. Club Brugge: Vetlessen (19'), Tresoldi (61') Aston Villa: McGinn (11'), Buendia (22'), Jackson (43')