Aston Villa’s perfect Champions League start came to an end after a bizarre penalty award saw Club Brugge beat the Premier League side 1-0.
Referee Robias Stieler pointed to the spot after Tyrone Mings was caught unawares, picking up an Emi Martinez pass inside his own area.
Hans Vanaken stepped up to convert from the spot and end his side’s 14-game run without victory against English opposition.
The penalty decision followed an underwhelming first half from Villa, who were subject to an onslaught from the Belgian champions. Brugge had seen an effort from Vanaken pushed onto the post before Martinez reacted quickly to the follow-up to keep out the ball in what was a busy first 45 minutes for the goalkeeper.
Despite Villa dominating the early possession statistics, Brugge had dominated the chances, with Unai Emery’s Villans only managing a single effort on target before the interval compared to five from the home side.
The only opportunities for Villa before the break came as John McGinn headed over a Boubacar Kamara cross from close range and a wayward strike from the edge of the Brugge area from Ollie Watkins whistled wide.
Emery called on intervention from the bench with Jhon Duran introduced hoping to add to his tally of two vital goals in the competition thus far but the striker failed to make an impact.
Defeat for Villa means Liverpool remain the only side with a 100-per-cent record in the competition. Emery’s side have now gone four consecutive games without victory in all competitions.
More to follow.
