Marco Asensio starred as Aston Villa beat 10-man Club Brugge 3-0 on Wednesday to guide a Champions League quarter-final conflict with Paris Saint-Germain. Asensio got here off the bench to strike twice within the second half of the last-16 second leg at Villa Park. The in-form Spanish ahead has netted seven instances since becoming a member of on mortgage from PSG within the January switch window and is ready for a reunion together with his dad or mum membership within the final eight. Brugge had Kyriani Sabbe despatched off for knowledgeable foul on Marcus Rashford early within the first half and Asensio ensured Villa ultimately took benefit.
Ian Maatsen scored in between Asensio’s brace as Unai Emery’s aspect romped to a 6-1 combination victory.
With Prince William, a famous Villa fan, celebrating within the stands, the Premier League outfit are by way of to the quarter-finals of Europe’s elite membership competitors for the primary time in 42 years.
Their exit in opposition to Juventus at that stage in 1982-83 was Villa’s final look within the European Cup — the forerunner to the Champions League — till this season.
Emery’s males are the primary crew to achieve the Champions League quarter-finals of their debut season within the competitors since Atalanta in 2019-20.
Wins in opposition to Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Celtic are among the many Champions League highlights for Emery’s males this time period.
PSG are subsequent of their sights after the Ligue 1 leaders’ penalty shoot-out win at Liverpool on Tuesday.
Facing PSG in April may have additional which means for Emery, who spent two turbulent seasons in cost at PSG, profitable the French title in 2018 however struggling within the Champions League.
It is just the second time Emery has made it previous the Champions League final 16 after he took Villarreal to the semi-finals in 2022.
A repeat of their well-known European Cup-winning marketing campaign in 1982 may show past Villa, however they’ve created recollections of lifetime of their fairytale run this season.
Songs of reward
As fireworks crackled over Villa Park earlier than kick-off, followers within the Holte End unfurled an enormous flag emblazoned with the motto “Prepared”.
It was a message their crew initially appeared to disregard.
Brugge captain Hans Vanaken glanced a header simply vast of the far put up in a assured begin from the guests.
Raphael Onyedika’s goal-bound was blocked by Villa defender Ezri Konsa, an opportunity that provoked anxious groans from fretting followers.
Villa misplaced 1-0 at Brugge within the league section and wanted two targets within the remaining eight minutes to take management within the last-16 first leg.
But Brugge had by no means gained in England in 14 journeys and people nervous Villa supporters needn’t have fearful as the stress was lifted straight away by Rashford’s blistering tempo.
Accelerating onto Emiliano Martinez’s lengthy punt within the seventeenth minute, Rashford was hauled down by Sabbe on the sting of the realm, with the Brugge defender dismissed for denying a transparent goalscoring alternative.
From the free-kick, Youri Tielemans’ drive compelled Simon Mignolet to make a sprawling save low to his proper.
Emery made an impressed double substitution on the interval, sending on Asensio and Leon Bailey in a transfer that paid fast dividends.
The pair mixed to interrupt the impasse within the fiftieth minute as Bailey’s go reached Asensio contained in the Brugge space and he swivelled to complete with aplomb.
Asensio ought to have scored once more moments later, however the 29-year-old’s shot cannoned again off the put up.
With Villa followers singing songs of reward to Emery, Maatsen doubled the lead within the 57th minute.
Morgan Rogers’ nimble footwork labored area for a cross to Maatsen, whose close-range effort deflected previous Mignolet.
Asensio wrapped up one other memorable European night time for Villa 4 minutes later, assembly Rashford’s low cross with a medical end from six yards.
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