Marco Asensio stuns as Ollie Watkins miserable – Aston Villa ratings v Club Brugge
Aston Villa dismantled Club Brugge 3-0 and will now face PSG in the Champions League quarter-final after a Marco Asensio masterclass.
Marcus Rashford joined Aston Villa in January, and the English winger forced Kyriani Sabbe to drag him down on the edge of the box in the 17th minute, resulting in a red card for the youngster.
Following an edgy first-half, Unai Emery introduced loan signing Marco Asensio at half-time, and the Spaniard had an instant impact, scoring in the 50th minute.
Morgan Rogers looked to have run himself into a blind alley in the 57th minute, only to produce an audacious turn, setting up Ian Maatsen to double Villa’s lead.
Asensio then scored his second with a tap-in, in the 61st minute, thanks to some great work down the left-hand side from Rashford.
The 6-1 aggregate win sets-up a tie with PSG who knocked out Liverpool on Tuesday evening (11 March).
Unai Emery watches Aston Villa dispatch of Club Brugge
Emi Martinez – 6
Returning from an injury layoff, the Argentine goalkeeper made one save and had little else to do.
Matty Cash (off for Disasi 73′) – 6
Still finding his feet after an injury layoff, was not tested much by Christos Tzolis.
Ezri Konsa – 7
Another composed performance alongside Mings, steady on the ball and dealt with Brugge’s dangerous attackers well.
Tyrone Mings (off for Torres 66′) – 7
Removed after an hour to protect against injury with the tie wrapped up.
Ian Maatsen – 7
Popped up as an unlikely goal-scorer in the second half, a thorn in the Belgian champions defence all night long.
Boubacar Kamara subbed at half-time after poor performance
Boubacar Kamara (off for Bailey 46′) – 5
Still struggling to get up to pace following an injury earlier in the season.
Youri Tielemans – 8
Booed regularly throughout both legs thanks to his Anderlecht links, responded by tearing Brugge apart with his passing and control over the game.
Morgan Rogers (off for Ramsey 66′) – 6
Got an assist, but still struggles to fully exert himself on a game when pushed out wide.
John McGinn – 7
The Scotland international looked good playing behind the striker, having predominantly played in a deeper role this season.
Marcus Rashford reduces Club Brugge to 10-men
Marcus Rashford – 8
Stunning performance from the on-loan winger, tore the Brugge defence to shreds, forcing a red card and assisting Asensio.
Ollie Watkins (off for Asensio 46′) – 3
Watkins was linked to Arsenal in January, and the English striker was dismal against Brugge before being replaced at half-time
Substitutes
Leon Bailey (on for Kamara 46′) – 7
An assist from the bench for the Jamaican winger, unlucky not to start after scoring in the first-leg.
Marco Asensio (on for Watkins 46′) – 9 – Player-of-the-Match
Seven goals in eight Villa appearances, another masterclass in movement and finishing, completely changed the game after coming on at half-time.
Pau Torres (on for Mings 66′) – 7
Making his first appearance this calendar year, in control at the back.
Jacob Ramsey (on for Rogers 66′) – 6
Lively substitute performance, but the match was all but won prior to his introduction.
Axel Disasi (on for Cash 73′) – 6
Brought on in the latter stages and was composed on the ball.