2026-27 UEFA Champions League: League Phase – Club Brugge vs Aston Villa

Club Brugge face Aston Villa on the opening night of the league phase in the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League. 

Club Brugge qualified as Belgian Pro League champions, whilst Villa finished fourth in last season’s Premier League.

 

Team News

Defender, Joel Ordonez is ruled out for Club Brugge due to a foot injury.

Villa will have Joao Gomes available for this match because his suspension only applies to domestic competitions.

Leon Goretzka (fitness) is a doubt but Johan Manzambi (knee) is unlikely to be involved in the matchday squad despite having joined training prior to the goalless draw at Hull in the Premier League.

Taylor Harwood-Bellis is ineligible after Villa left him out of their Champions League squad list, alongside Brian Madjo who is still out with an ankle injury.

Amadou Onana remains absent with an ACL injury.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Club Brugge meet Aston Villa at Jan Breydel Stadium on Tuesday 8 September at 6:45pm CET (5:45pm UK Time), live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Club Brugge have won one of their three previous Champions League meetings against Villa (W1, L2).
• Villa have won one of their two previous Champions League away visits to Club Brugge (W1, L1).
• Unai Emery’s Villains are yet to keep a clean sheet away to Club Brugge – having lost 1-0 in November 2024 then won 3-1 in March 2025.
• Club Brugge have lost just one of their last five Champions League home matches (W2, D2, L1).
• Villa have won three of their six Champions League away games under Emery (W3, L3).

 

Prediction

Having won four of their five domestic matches to start the season in strong form, Club Brugge now need to keep doing what they’ve been doing this season but clean sheets have been a big issue for them in this competition since the format revamp.

Villa meanwhile are still in a transitory phase following a summer of change but to keep a clean sheet at Hull despite putting just one of 14 shots on target is a small confidence, and this competition might just be the ignitor that their season needs if they can step it up a notch and be clinical.

I however do think that Club Brugge have already found their momentum so just can’t see them losing this, although Villa should give them a decent test.

Prediction: Club Brugge 1-0 Aston Villa