Unai Emery hails ‘big step forward’ after Aston Villa triumph at Club Brugge

Aston Villa's John McGinn celebrates.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery says his side took “one big step forward” as they started their Champions League campaign with a 3-2 victory over Club Brugge.

After drawing blanks in each of their opening three league matches of the season, McGinn opened their account for this season with an 11th-minute goal which made him Villa’s all-time leading scorer in European competitions with 12 goals.

Brugge briefly got themselves on level terms when Hugo Vetlesen equalised but Emi Buendia restored Villa’s advantage before Nicolas Jackson notched his first goal for the club to send Villa in at the break 3-1 up.

Nicolo Tresoldi’s penalty made for a nervy finish but Villa held on to take their first victory of the season.

Emery says victory in Bruges will be important for the side’s confidence going forward.

He told the official club website: “We took one step forward today and it was very, very important for our confidence and stability.

“We had so many chances to get more of an advantage. The second half was a bit more equal.

“When we were 2-0 ahead the confidence was very good, but Brugge scored and we could feel a little bit less confidence than we had in the first half. But we finished well, controlling the game like we planned.” “Playing away in Europe is very difficult.

“They were working with the supporters, who were very excited. They wanted to win.” There has been much change at Villa Park having made 10 new signings and seen the likes of Morgan Rogers, Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins leave the club.

McGinn hailed a gritty performance from a “new” Aston Villa following their difficult start.

He said: “To get my first Champions League player of the match award aged 31, I’m very happy.

“It was so important to show a real gritty performance and get a victory at a very, very tough place to play. The (home) supporters were excellent (and Brugge are a) very impressive club, so to win tonight was huge for us.

“It’s a new Villa and it was a big test for the new players to dig in.

“It was Joao Gomes and George Hemmings’ first Champions League games. It’s not easy to go away at a place like this in difficult weather conditions.

“Club Brugge were pushing and pushing and pushing and we had to stand strong. We managed to do that.”