Villa suffer first league phase defeat after penalty controversy in Brugge

Aston Villa’s perfect start to the UEFA Champions League came to a farcical end as a bizarre penalty saw Unai Emery’s side slump to a 1-0 defeat at Club Brugge.

Tyrone Mings was the villain of the piece, marking his debut in the competition with the concession of a second-half spot kick that was duly converted by Hans Vanaken.

Mings bent down and handled Emiliano Martinez’s 52nd-minute goal kick, leaving the referee to penalise the defender for a poor lapse in concentration.

Brugge, who will rise out of the bottom 12 after just a fourth home win in their last 22 matches in the Champions League, had the best moments in the first half with Ferran Jutglà hitting the post on the half hour mark.

Villa went close through Ollie Watkins but could have suffered defeat by a greater margin had it not been for some fine goalkeeping from Martinez and profligate finishing from the hosts.

The result means Villa miss the chance to join Liverpool at the top of the standings and are now three points adrift of the Merseysiders, who they meet in the Premier League on Saturday night at Anfield.

The rigours of trying to compete at home and abroad could well be taking their toll on Villa.

Emery’s men lacked a cutting edge and were outplayed by the Belgians at times on a night when they were hoping to become the first English side to win their opening four matches in the competition without shipping a goal.

The ‘moment of madness’ from Mings as described by TNT Sports expert Peter Crouch at full time, will take the headlines but, in truth, Villa were second best in Belgium.

Indeed, it’s now three straight defeats – and four without victory – for the Villans who will be desperate to find some semblance of form at the weekend when they travel to pace-setters Liverpool.

It’s far from any sort of crisis and the objective of reaching the likely points tally required to automatically qualify for the UCL last 16 remains within reach – but Emery and Co will be eager to get back on track with Juventus looming next in this competition.

Brandon Mechele (Club Brugge). Any number of Brugge players could have taken this honour, but it goes to Mechele who was imperious throughout as he helped shackle Watkins and Jhon Duran on a night that will be long remembered in Belgium.

CLUB BRUGGE: Mignolet 7, De Cuyper 8, Mechele 8*, Ordonez 8, Seys 8, Jashari 8, Vanaken 8, Nielsen 7, Tzolis 8, Jutgla 7, Skov Olsen 8. Subs: Talbi 7, Meijer 7, Vetlesen 6, Vermant n/a.

ASTON VILLA: Martinez 8, Maatsen 7, Konsa 7, Carlos 6, Mings 5, Kamara 6, Tielemans 6, Bailey 6, Rogers 6, McGinn 6, Watkins 6. Subs: Duran 6, Torres 6, Ramsey 6, Bunedia n/a, Nedeljkovic n/a.

21’ – ASTON VILLA CHANCE! Watkins takes McGinn’s pass in his stride and then drills a low strike towards the corner that appears to shave Mignolet’s right-hand post with the ‘keeper rooted to the spot.

30’ – CLUB BRUGGE CHANCE! The hosts work the ball from right to left brilliantly. It’s shifted into the left side of the area for Ferran Jutglà who slams the near post with a thumping shot.

The Belgians keep the heat on with Martinez forced to parry away a long-range strike seconds later.

52’ – GOAL! – Club Brugge 1-0 Aston Villa: (Vanaken). Hans Vanaken sends Martinez the wrong way with a cool spot kick down the middle. The penalty was awarded in the most bizarre of circumstances as Martinez took a goal kick to Mings, who bent down, handled it and looked to take it again. The official deemed it hand ball and Brugge took full advantage!