Aston Villa start their 2026-27 Champions League marketing campaign at Membership Brugge on Tuesday, returning to continental soccer for the primary time since successful the Europa League in Istanbul 4 months in the past.
The Belgian champions, who’ve reached the knockout stage in every of their final three European campaigns, present an early check for a Villa squad nonetheless adjusting to a heavy summer season rebuild.
Tuesday’s assembly is the fourth between these golf equipment in two years. Brugge gained the sooner league-phase fixture 1-0 in Belgium throughout 2024-25, however Villa gained revenge within the spherical of 16, successful 6-1 on combination courtesy of a 3-1 victory in Bruges adopted by a 3-0 win at Villa Park.
Each golf equipment bought key gamers for important charges over the summer season, with Villa dropping Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Ezri Konsa and Emiliano Martínez; Brugge have tailored extra rapidly, sitting second within the Belgian Professional League after 4 wins from 5 matches, whereas Villa have collected solely a single level from their opening three Premier League video games and stay with no league aim this season.
Membership Brugge vs Aston Villa – Match preview and staff information
- Date: Tuesday, 8 September 2026
- Kick-off: 17:45 BST
- Venue: Jan Breydelstadion, Bruges
- Referee: Sandro Schärer (SUI)
- Final assembly: Aston Villa 3-0 Membership Brugge, 12 March 2025, Champions League (Villa Park)
Workforce information
Membership Brugge
Joel Ordonez, a participant Villa themselves have been linked with over the summer season, is Ivan Leko’s solely harm absentee. Captain Hans Vanaken, who scored the winner when these sides final met in Belgium, companions Freddie Potts in central midfield, whereas Nicolo Tresoldi leads the road having already scored three league objectives this season. Yann Sommer begins in aim, with the hosts anticipated to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Aston Villa
Unai Emery is with out Brian Madjo (ankle), Amadou Onana (knee) and Johan Manzambi, who stays a serious doubt following a World Cup knee harm. Joao Gomes, although nonetheless serving a home suspension, is on the market for his Champions League debut. New signings Zion Suzuki and club-record purchase Nicolas Jackson are each anticipated to begin, whereas free-agent arrival Leon Goretzka might function from the bench. Emery additionally faces calls between Matty Money and Ian Maatsen at full-back and Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres in central defence.
Kind
Membership Brugge
Ivan Leko’s facet arrive in good home kind, sitting second within the Belgian Professional League after 4 wins from their opening 5 matches, with their solely defeat coming away at Gent. They’ve gained their final two fixtures, together with Friday’s 1-0 victory over Lommel United, courtesy of an opposition personal aim. Brugge have a wonderful latest residence file in Europe and start an eighth Champions League marketing campaign in 9 years on Tuesday.
Aston Villa
Villa’s begin to the season has been significantly more durable, with Saturday’s goalless draw at Hull Metropolis their first level from three Premier League matches. Emery’s facet have but to attain within the league this time period, having misplaced 4-0 at Brighton and 1-0 at residence to Arsenal both facet of the Hull draw. The Europa League holders have traditionally raised their degree in Europe below Emery, although a rebuilt squad lacking a number of key departures provides uncertainty over how rapidly that kind may be repeated.
Predicted lineups
Membership Brugge predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sommer; Sabbe, Mechele, Lee, Seys; Potts, Vanaken; Forbs, Vetlesen, Diakhon; Tresoldi
Aston Villa predicted XI: Suzuki; Money, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Gomes; McGinn, Buendia, Hemmings; Jackson
Easy methods to watch Membership Brugge vs Aston Villa?
The match might be broadcast dwell in the UK on TNT Sports activities 1, with streaming obtainable through HBO Max (TNT Sports activities can be obtainable as a Prime Video add-on).
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