Club Brugge v Aston Villa

45'

Substitution

Substitution Kyriani Sabbe Hugo Siquet

There's the half-time whistle, as a much more recognisable Aston Villa performance sends them into the break with a 3–1 lead over Club Brugge! Villa have put their poor start to the season very much behind them so far in this Champions League clash, producing a sizeable 2.51 xG already and taking the lead just 11 minutes into the contest. Buendia and Maatsen had already had half-chances before Torres drove straight through the hosts' midfield, finding McGinn for a fantastic first-time finish into the bottom corner. Further openings followed for Hemmings, Kamara and Buendia, but it looked as if Villa would be made to rue their inaccuracy when Vetlesen arrived in the visitors' box to sweep a well-taken strike beyond Suzuki. Not deterred by that equaliser, Villa went straight back on the attack and re-took the lead within three minutes, as Buendia got on the end of Joao Gomes' mazy run to make it 2–1 from close range. Jackson made it 3–1 in the half with Torres involved once again, sending a long ball forward which Sommer completely misjudged to give the Aston Villa striker a clear run at goal. Unai Emery's new striker finished that chance to give Villa a commanding lead at the break, and the visitors won't want to let up after seeing their new-look attack finally click.

HALF-TIME: CLUB BRUGGE 1–3 ASTON VILLA.

We're into the first of two added minutes at Jan Breydel Stadium, where Aston Villa have finally found their goalscoring groove after an otherwise miserable start to the new season.

SAVED!!! The Lions' tails are well and truly up now!! A misplaced pass across the hosts' defensive line is seized upon by McGinn, who spots Sommer off his line again and goes for the spectacular from just inside halfway. The 50-yard effort is drifting just off target, but that doesn't stop Sommer racing back to make a panicked, two-handed save!

Torres gets his second assist of the half for Aston Villa, although it's unlikely he intended to turn that clearance into such a clear-cut chance for Jackson!