Aston Villa took a giant leap towards the Champions League quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Club Brugge in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday.
Villa made a flying start when Leon Bailey beautifully swept home a half-volley from 12 yards in the third minute, and Marcus Rashford wasn't far away from making it 2-0 when his shot from a tight angle was just about handled by ex-Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
But the visitors' advantage didn't last long, as Maxim De Cuyper guided a well-placed shot into the corner nine minutes later. The hosts were the better team for the rest of the first half, and had it not been for a smart stop from Emi Martinez, Brugge would have gone in at half-time with a deserved lead.
After the break, substitute Marco Asensio stung the hands of Mignolet shortly after coming on before Tyrone Mings pulled off a miraculous goalline clearance to deny Hans Vanaken. Christos Tzolis then wasted a glorious chance, and Brugge were made to pay for their profligacy as Brandon Mechele turned a delightful Morgan Rogers cross into his own net in the 82nd minute.
Nicky Hayen's side self-imploded once more when Tzolis clumsily fouled substitute Matty Cash in the box and Asensio dispatched the resulting spot-kick two minutes from time, meaning Unai Emery's team head to Villa Park with a two-goal cushion heading into the second leg.
GOAL rates Aston Villa's players from Jan Breydel Stadium...
