Tyrone Mings had decided the first duel of FC Bruges against Aston Villa with an error. In the round of 16 of the Champions League, the English were the radiant winners in the 3-1 (1: 1) victory after two game-decisive actions.
In the group phase, Bruges had already received Aston Villa – and defeated. A strange penalty led to the 1-0 victory after Villa defender Mings had taken his own kick-off. The tragic hero from the group phase then quickly became a decisive man in the round of 16.
Mings involved again in one goal – this time on the right side
After a free kick from Youri Tielemans, Mings won his header duel in the opposing penalty area and thus perfectly presented Leon Bailey, who took the lead for the club from the Premier League with a drop kick (3rd).
Shortly afterwards, Marcus Rashford had the opportunity to make the result even higher, but the former striker of Manchester United was pushed too far to the outside world, so that Simon Mignolet was able to defuse the shot from an acute angle (9th). It was the last time that Aston Villa presented itself on the offensive.
De cuyper does not give Martinez a chance
The equalizer followed a little later and a dominant phase of the hosts. Christos Tzolis took a long ball soulful and put it on for Maxim de Cuyper, who hit the far corner (12th). Brügge then put pressure on the lead, but there was only one chance for Chemsdine Talbi, where Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez showed his class (31st).
After the break, the team of Unai Emery got better again, but the game was not. It was only in the 68th minute that the next opportunity was given after the Villa coach had changed four times, with Marco Asensio one of the jokers came to the end, but Mignolet parried again. Only seconds later there was also a rescue act on the other side – but not by a goalkeeper and also much more spectacular.
Mings with his second heroic deed – then Aston Villa hits twice
Brügges Hans Vanaken headed the ball exactly into the far corner after a Tzolis flank, but Mings drove his leg very far and somehow scratched the ball with the tip of the foot (68th). First the template for 1-0, then the tie saved – Mings had long since been bustling with his faux pas from the first duel of the two teams.
Bruges was now much closer to the lead again, but Tzolis missed free -standing from eight meters when he shot well over the goal with his left foot (74.). And that took revenge. A player of the home team scored the third goal of the evening, but Brandon Mechele hit his own goal after a cross from Morgan Rodgers (82nd).
But from the point of view of the Belgians, the mischief was not over. Tzolis missed a ball acceptance in his own penalty area and overlooked Matty Cash, whom he then took off his legs, there was penalty. Asensio grabbed the ball and shot too much for Mignolet, scored 3: 1 (88th). Villa stands by this before the second leg next week (12.03.2025) during his first Champions League participation with one leg in the quarter-finals.