Aston Villa 3-0 Club Brugge (6-1 agg): Unai Emery’s side set up Champions League quarter-final clash with PSG as Marco Asensio keeps up stellar form with brace

Nobody would have tipped Aston Villa to outlast Liverpool and Manchester City in this season’s Champions League.

Yet here they are in the quarter-finals, preparing to take on Paris Saint-Germain, former club of manager Unai Emery and the current employers of Villa’s match-winner Marco Asensio.

Asensio has won the Champions League three times with Real Madrid and, under UEFA rules, is eligible to face his parent club in the last eight. The last time Villa played a Belgian club at Villa Park in this competition, they beat Anderlecht 1-0 in the semi-finals on their way to lifting the trophy in 1982.

Villa will be underdogs against PSG, so impressive in beating Liverpool over two legs, but with omens like these, their supporters will be dreaming of a second title. What a job Emery has done here since taking charge in autumn 2022, when the club feared they would be dragged into the relegation fight. PSG boss Luis Enrique is a former winner of this competition yet he will not relish facing Emery over two legs.

A second-half double from substitute Asensio – who now has seven goals since joining in the winter window – either side of Ian Maatsen’ strike sent Bruges out though the turning point came much earlier, when Kyriani Sabbe was sent off for hauling back Marcus Rashford in the 17th minute.

If Emery can find his way past PSG, it will be hugely significant. He was in charge of the French giants in 2017, when a 4-0 lead over Barcelona was erased by an astonishing 6-1 defeat in the second leg of their last-16 tie.

Unai Emery’s side will now take on PSG, who beat Liverpool on Tuesday, in the quarter-finals

Emery and Co took a 3-1 lead into the second leg but any nerves were squashed with three fine goals Asensio (2) and Ian Maatsen

Emery has admitted it was the worst moment of his coaching career. Victory over his former club next month would surely be the best, notwithstanding the four Europa League titles he has won.

Leading 3-1 from the first leg, Villa had every reason to be confident and they certainly gave it the big build up.

There were pre-match fireworks, a huge banner in the Holte End paying tribute to the club’s rich history, and the Prince of Wales was in the stands.

Yet rather than intimidate Bruges, the atmosphere seemed to inspire them initially. The Belgians knocked the ball about with great ease in the opening exchanges and Villa looked edgy. Matty Cash hit a square pass straight to Sabbe 20 yards out and was relieved to see the ball disappear into the Holte.

Not long afterwards, Hans Vanaken made a late run into the box, drifted in front of Tyrone Mings and should at least have tested Emi Martinez when he met Ardon Jashari’s cross close to the penalty spot.

When Ezri Konsa hit an aimless ball to Ollie Watkins that was gobbled up, the home crowd showed their first sign of nerves – which were settled seconds later.

Rashford accelerated in from the flank and his run was spotted by Martinez, who picked him out beautifully. Now it was a race between Rashford and Sabbe and the on-loan Manchester United man was too quick and strong for his opponent, who brought him down. Straight red card.

The visitors did not let that setback affect them and nor did the travelling supporters, who taunted Villa with a few 1980s and 1990s terrace classics, sung – of course – in English. Emery was taking matters far more seriously and tapped his head on the touchline. Keep calm, everyone.

Kyriani Sabbe was sent off for the away side after just 16 minutes for a last-man foul

Maatsen scored the second goal of the game to put the result out of reach for the Belgians

PSG will be favourites going into the game – and Asensio will be able to play against parent club

Midway through the half, Bruges had enjoyed 70 per cent possession but created only one real chance as Villa tried to squeeze the life from the tie. Watkins picked up a knock challenging Brandon Mechele and, ignoring the officials’ instructions to leave the field, stayed put in the penalty area. That meant the match could not restart and momentum was lost.

Rashford should have put the tie beyond doubt in first-half stoppage time only to fire Mings’ cross into the side netting from eight yards.

Watkins departed at half-time, though Asensio was a pretty decent replacement, while Leon Bailey came on for Boubacar Kamara.

Having defended brilliantly in Bruges, Mings was nearly decisive at the other end when he forced a sharp stop from Simon Mignolet.

Less than five minutes after coming on, Asensio effectively sent Villa through when he floated round the back of Mechele and produced an excellent first-time finish from Bailey’s pass.

A tiring Bruges side could not fathom Asensio’s movement at all. Once more the Spaniard found too much space to collect Youri Tielemans’ pass and with the Holte preparing to celebrate, shot against the inside of the post.

Villa did not have to wait long to double their advantage as Asensio played in Morgan Rogers, whose cross was turned in at the near post by Maatsen. Now Villa were carving Bruges open at will and it was not long before Rashford burst into the box and squared for Asensio to slide in his second.