A hush fell over the stadium as Emiliano Martínez executed a routine goalkick five minutes into the second half. Moments later, the Club Brugge fans, clad in blue and black, erupted in cheers as they realized the implications of Tyrone Mings’s momentary lapse in judgment. The defender mistakenly believed that Martínez had not restarted play and thus picked up the ball, placing it on the edge of the six-yard box and passing it back to his goalkeeper.
Only the German referee, Tobias Stieler, and the majority of the stadium were convinced that the ball was in play, leading to a penalty being awarded against Mings, who had already been booked in the first half. Stieler refrained from issuing a second yellow card. Hans Vanaken converted the subsequent spot-kick, giving the 19-time Belgian champions the lead, albeit under unusual circumstances. Two years to the day since Unai Emery’s first game in charge of Villa, a 3-1 victory over Manchester United, it is worth reflecting on how far they have come. However, given the look of dismay on Emery’s face as Vanaken scored, it’s unlikely he saw it that way.
On the night, Villa were outplayed by Nicky Hayen, the Brugge manager who two years ago was in charge of Cymru Premier League side Haverfordwest County. It would be inaccurate to suggest that Brugge’s success, which abruptly ended Villa’s 100% record in the Champions League, was solely due to that decision. The hosts had been the superior team, more dynamic and dangerous. Ollie Watkins’s shot narrowly missed the target in the first half, and John McGinn failed to capitalize on an awkward header, but they struggled to break through Brugge’s defense, where center-back Joel Ordonez had an outstanding game. Boubacar Kamara missed a shot with four minutes left in regular time.
Simon Mignolet, the former Liverpool and Sunderland goalkeeper, was untested in the first half, but Martínez had to be alert to keep the score level at halftime. Brugge had several chances, including two in the 30th minute, the first of which saw Ferran Jutglà’s shot hit the post, deflected by Martínez’s fingertips. Brugge sensed an opportunity, and moments later, Martínez made a low save to stop Christos Tzolis’s curled effort. It might have been coincidental that Villa’s substitutes, including Jhon Durán, headed out to warm up shortly thereafter.
Villa were under pressure. A few minutes later, Maxim De Cuyper delivered a teasing cross into the box, from which Casper Nielsen headed the ball backward towards the goal, prompting Mings to make a panicked clearance. Ardon Jashari was first to the rebound and shot at Martínez. Mings, one of five changes and three in defense, partnered with Diego Carlos at center-back. Neither looked comfortable, with both booked in the first half, Carlos for dissent. Tzolis, the former Norwich forward, posed problems and linked up well with Andreas Skov Olsen. Emery hurried down the tunnel before the half-time whistle. For Mings, making his second start after 14 months out injured, it was a forgettable European debut.
The second half began quietly, but Mings’s bizarre error gave Brugge a boost, though their performance likely deserved it. Ian Maatsen, another change from Villa’s defeat at Tottenham on Sunday, made a crucial clearance to prevent Olsen from reaching a dangerous cross by the substitute Joaquin Seys at the back post. Another substitute, Bjorn Meijer, came close to scoring a second with a bending effort. Villa’s lukewarm performance earned them a third consecutive defeat, a result that Mings and all Villa supporters will want to forget quickly.
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