Club Bruges clinched a narrow victory over Aston Villa in a tense encounter that saw both teams fiercely contest possession and control.
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The game remained closely matched, with Aston Villa holding 59% possession compared to Club Bruges’ 41%. Despite Villa’s control, Bruges capitalized on key moments to edge out their opponents.
The pivotal moment came in the 52nd minute when Hans Vanaken converted a penalty after Tyrone Mings handled the ball in the box.
Vanaken’s composed finish wrong-footed Emiliano Martinez, who had guessed the wrong side. This goal set the stage for a frenetic final phase where Villa pushed relentlessly to equalize but fell short as Bruges’ defense held firm.
Late in the game, Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara both received yellow cards for aggressive challenges, reflecting the intensity and frustration on Villa’s side.
As the match drew to a close, Romeo Vermant’s injury halted play briefly, but Club Bruges managed to see out the final moments with resilient defending and well-timed clearances.
