Aston Villa begin their 2026-27 Champions League campaign at Club Brugge on Tuesday, returning to continental football for the first time since winning the Europa League in Istanbul four months ago.
The Belgian champions, who have reached the knockout stage in each of their last three European campaigns, provide an early test for a Villa squad still adjusting to a heavy summer rebuild.
Tuesday’s meeting is the fourth between these clubs in two years. Brugge won the earlier league-phase fixture 1-0 in Belgium during 2024-25, but Villa gained revenge in the round of 16, winning 6-1 on aggregate courtesy of a 3-1 victory in Bruges followed by a 3-0 win at Villa Park.
Both clubs sold key players for significant fees over the summer, with Villa losing Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Ezri Konsa and Emiliano Martínez; Brugge have adapted more quickly, sitting second in the Belgian Pro League after four wins from five matches, while Villa have collected only a single point from their opening three Premier League games and remain without a league goal this season.
Club Brugge vs Aston Villa – Match preview and team news
- Date: Tuesday, 8 September 2026
- Kick-off: 17:45 BST
- Venue: Jan Breydelstadion, Bruges
- Referee: Sandro Schärer (SUI)
- Last meeting: Aston Villa 3-0 Club Brugge, 12 March 2025, Champions League (Villa Park)
Team news
Club Brugge
Joel Ordonez, a player Villa themselves were linked with over the summer, is Ivan Leko’s only injury absentee. Captain Hans Vanaken, who scored the winner when these sides last met in Belgium, partners Freddie Potts in central midfield, while Nicolo Tresoldi leads the line having already scored three league goals this season. Yann Sommer starts in goal, with the hosts expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Aston Villa
Unai Emery is without Brian Madjo (ankle), Amadou Onana (knee) and Johan Manzambi, who remains a major doubt following a World Cup knee injury. Joao Gomes, though still serving a domestic suspension, is available for his Champions League debut. New signings Zion Suzuki and club-record buy Nicolas Jackson are both expected to start, while free-agent arrival Leon Goretzka could feature from the bench. Emery also faces calls between Matty Cash and Ian Maatsen at full-back and Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres in central defence.
Form
Club Brugge
Ivan Leko’s side arrive in good domestic form, sitting second in the Belgian Pro League after four wins from their opening five matches, with their only defeat coming away at Gent. They have won their last two fixtures, including Friday’s 1-0 victory over Lommel United, courtesy of an opposition own goal. Brugge have an excellent recent home record in Europe and begin an eighth Champions League campaign in nine years on Tuesday.
Aston Villa
Villa’s start to the season has been considerably tougher, with Saturday’s goalless draw at Hull City their first point from three Premier League matches. Emery’s side have yet to score in the league this term, having lost 4-0 at Brighton and 1-0 at home to Arsenal either side of the Hull draw. The Europa League holders have historically raised their level in Europe under Emery, though a rebuilt squad missing several key departures adds uncertainty over how quickly that form can be repeated.
Predicted lineups
Club Brugge predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sommer; Sabbe, Mechele, Lee, Seys; Potts, Vanaken; Forbs, Vetlesen, Diakhon; Tresoldi
Aston Villa predicted XI: Suzuki; Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Gomes; McGinn, Buendia, Hemmings; Jackson
How to watch Club Brugge vs Aston Villa?
The match will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom on TNT Sports 1, with streaming available via HBO Max (TNT Sports is also available as a Prime Video add-on).
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