Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has warned his players to stay focused despite securing a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie on Tuesday night.
Emery acknowledged the challenge posed by the Belgian side, emphasizing the need for tactical discipline and resilience throughout the match.
Villa took control late on, scoring twice in the final ten minutes to strengthen their grip on the tie.
“The game played out as we expected,” Emery said. “We knew Brugge would be strong in possession and structured tactically, so we had to respect that. Our defensive work, including key moments like Tyrone Mings’ crucial save, was vital.”
Despite the strong result, Emery remains cautious, reminding his squad that the job is far from over.
“There are still 90 minutes left. Brugge have shown their quality in Europe, and we must analyze the game to prepare for the second leg,” he added.
Villa will now look to finish the job in the return fixture and advance further in their Champions League campaign.
