Nicolas Jackson opens Aston Villa account in 3-2 win at Club Brugge
Nicolas Jackson scored his first Aston Villa goal as Unai Emery’s side beat Club Brugge 3-2 in Belgium to claim their first victory of the campaign and end a frustrating run without a goal.
Key takeaways
- Jackson struck before half-time after racing onto Pau Torres’ long pass and taking the ball around the Brugge goalkeeper.
- John McGinn became Aston Villa’s leading scorer in major European competition with his 12th goal.
- Emi Buendía registered his first Champions League goal to put Villa back in front after Hugo Vetlesen had equalised.
- Nicolò Tresoldi converted a late penalty for Brugge, but Villa held on for three points at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
- Villa now return to Premier League action against Nottingham Forest, still seeking their first domestic win.
Jackson savours breakthrough night
The Senegal international had arrived from Chelsea with major expectations and made his mark at an important moment for Villa. He spotted the Brugge goalkeeper repeatedly operating away from his line, timed his run perfectly and collected Torres’ delivery before finishing into the empty net.
“It means a lot,” Jackson said after the game. “I had seen the goalkeeper off his line throughout the match. There was room to make the run, then Pau gave me a perfect ball. I am very happy to be here with the team, the manager and the staff. Hopefully there will be many more.”
Villa had failed to score in each of their first three Premier League matches, but their Champions League night delivered the attacking response Emery needed. McGinn opened the scoring and set a new club European record, before Vetlesen brought the home side level.
Buendía restored Villa’s advantage with his first goal in the competition, then Jackson’s finish gave the visitors further breathing space. Tresoldi’s spot-kick made for an uncomfortable closing spell, but Villa saw out the win.
What happens next
Jackson said Villa are not allowing their difficult domestic opening to distract them from the wider task under Emery.
“Every match is different,” he said. “We are not thinking about what has happened before; we focus on the next one. Every team has ambitions, but it is a long journey. We have to go step by step and try to win every game.”
Nottingham Forest are next in the Premier League this weekend, with Villa aiming to transfer their European lift into a first league victory. Their Champions League campaign resumes in October against Fenerbahce.
