Club Brugge v Aston Villa: Champions League last 16, first leg
Nicky Hayen has gone from the Welsh Premier League to the Champions League pretty sharpish. I spoke to his former chairman at Haverfordwest about his time there (before Club Brugge Manchester City). Share
Ben Fisher and John McGinn combine to provide you with some preview material. Share
A huge evening lies ahead for Aston Villa in Brugge. This is the Champions League last 16 and the favour has been relatively kind to the Premier League side who would expect to defeat their Belgian counterparts over two legs but they have already lost in Brugge this season. That loss was the result of some mild comedy/incompetence, depending on your point of you.
As John McGinn indicated in yesterday's press conference, Villa are out for revenge and will be confident of providing it. Unai Emery's side have been a mixed bag this season, partially down to the increase schedule caused by being involved in Europe's top competition. They bolstered their options in January and will be hoping that is enough to take them far in the Champions League.
As for Club Brugge, they are overachieving with a fine team of youngsters. They caused problems for Manchester City in the final group game and then nigh-on humiliated Atalanta in the playoff. There is plenty of quality in their ranks and they will be eager to show it on the biggest stage once more.
Kick-off: 5.45pm GMT Share
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
4 minutes ago
- Scotsman
The Rangers sinners: Who Russell Martin was calling out and exonerated players after filleting team
Head coach's rant shows just where Rangers are right now - and it's clear Martin wants Ibrox change Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... It didn't take too long in Russell Martin's reign for the head coach to tell his players exactly how it is after a 1-1 draw with Motherwell. The performances against Panathinaikos in the Champions League weren't great, but they found a way to eke out a positive outcome over two legs. But that didn't happen at Fir Park and for the third Premiership curtain-raiser in a row, Rangers have failed to win. Should Celtic prevail against St Mirren on Sunday, they will already have stolen a march in the title race. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Martin didn't hold back on Saturday evening. "We were nowhere near where we need to be, and I'm extremely disappointed and hurt by that," he said. "They were braver than us, they were more aggressive than us. "There is a default here at this football club, and it's not one person's fault at all. The default is to revert to type, which is when it's going really well, everyone's all in and it's really good. When it's not going well, you protect yourself a little bit and self-preservation stuff. Rangers head coach Russell Martin was angered by the way his team played at Motherwell. | Getty Images "When you want to just jog around and do what you want to do, there's a big problem. Some of them have to drop their ego, I'll look at us tactically and accept my responsibility in it. But today, it's not really tactical, it's a mentality problem, and we got more than what we deserved actually." "We need work out who really wants to be all in and who doesn't.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Some may feel Martin has gone too early in what was an evisceration of his squad; others believe he is right to call it as it is. We take a look at where the Rangers team that played against Motherwell - and the wider squad - stands after three competitive outings and where Martin simply has to act. Jack Butland The goalkeeper has been a key reason why Rangers haven't lost this season, making a number of saves. He's also embraced playing out from the back and was namechecked by Martin afterwards for his performance. One of the few players with little to worry about. James Tavernier The captain scored the opening goal at Fir Park but struggled to maintain his levels in the second half of the match. Motherwell's equaliser came down his flank, while his defending for Panathinaikos' goal on Wednesday wasn't too clever. Had to face the music to the press afterwards with familiar words of having to learn from mistakes and work harder. It was an all-too-familiar post-match press conference from Rangers captain James Tavernier. | SNS Group John Souttar Willing to play out from the back and has been part of a defensive unit that has just about held it together despite some tough moments. Another who was given some praise by Martin after Motherwell. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Nasser Djiga Much the same as Souttar. Doesn't look entirely comfortable at times, but has shown athleticism and good-on-one defensive attributes. Martin seems content enough with centre-half pairing. Max Aarons The defender has not looked at ease so far in a Rangers jersey, although he is being deployed on his unfavoured flank at left-back. It says a lot about Rangers' other options there that he is being used ahead of them. Joe Rothwell One of Martin's first signings, the deep-lying playmaker has shown some nice touches but hasn't yet dominated in midfield. Martin has worked with him before and has previously praised his attitude, although he was replaced by Connor Barron midway through the second half at Fir Park. Mohamed Diomande Hooked just after the hour-mark at Motherwell. Could have been partly down to fatigue - he put in a shift in Athens on Wednesday - but hasn't been dominating midfield battles as his manager would want. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rangers' Nicolas Raskin is tackled during the match at Fir Park. | SNS Group Nicolas Raskin Another in the same boat as Diomande. Was run over the top in the second half by Motherwell and came off. Still one of the few Rangers midfielders who breaks into promising areas but Fir Park wasn't his best display. Djeidi Gassama The hero off the bench in Europe, it was interesting to note that the young Frenchman was a muted presence in Lanarkshire. Clearly a talented individual, but Martin will want to see more of him domestically when defences need unlocked. Kieran Dowell It is a symbol of where Rangers are that a central midfielder who was farmed out to Birmingham City has started the last three matches wide on the right. He doesn't seem comfortable there, yet his lackadaisical defensive effort for Motherwell's equaliser was labelled 'disgraceful' by Sky Sports pundit Chris Sutton afterwards. Out of position or otherwise, it wasn't a good look. Rangers need more in that area. Danilo We keep hearing about how the Brazilian is one of the best finishers at Ibrox, yet there is little evidence on the pitch. Rangers shelled out the guts of £5million for this striker two years ago and while he's had some injury issues, there has not been enough intensity from him in the three matches he's started. The love-bombing of Cyriel Dessers by Martin afterwards was surely a barb at Danilo too. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Danilo has not been effective as Rangers' No 9 this season. | SNS Group Lyall Cameron The ex-Dundee midfielder made his debut on 63 minutes and was singled out by Martin afterwards. 'Lyall Cameron comes in, did great because he listens and wants to run really hard for the team,' was the assessment. Could he start against Plzen now? Connor Barron Was handed the captain's armband in Martin's first match against Club Brugge but competitively, he's only been used as a sub. Wasn't great when he came on against Motherwell. Nedim Bajrami The Albanian was an infuriating player at times last season and one wonders whether it's the same for Martin. Gets into promising areas but the final ball is often lacking. Doesn't do enough defensively - although some would argue that's not his job. Oscar Cortes The Colombian doesn't appear to have the intensity to be part of a successful Martin team. Whatever promise he arrived with has clearly been knocked by successive injuries. Once the head coach has all of his players in, it is hard to see the £4.5m signing featuring. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Cyriel Dessers Martin's words on him say it all. "And I said to some of the guys in there, Cyriel is the only one we have actually had a bid for and interest in. And he comes on and he runs so hard, on Wednesday night and today. Some of them need to have a look at him and set that example.' Dessers is the least of Rangers' worries. Jefte remains unable to force his way in at left-back. | SNS Group Jefte The fact he is often left on the bench despite Max Aarons - a right-back - taking up a left-back slot shows what Martin must think of the Brazilian. Those links to Chelsea a few months ago continue to look on the bizarre side. Findlay Curtis The 18-year-old was kept in reserve in Motherwell but has already proven his worth in Europe. He's just a kid at 18-years-old but appears to have won Martin's favour. Should be involved ahead of Dowell. Emmanuel Fernandez The £3.5m signing from Peterborough has not kicked a competitive ball in anger yet. Who knows what he is truly like. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Liam Kelly The goalkeeper is back behind Jack Butland and is a stable deputy for Martin to call upon. The injured quartet Poor Thelo Aasgaard picked up an injury not long after signing from Luton Town. He may make it back for the Plzen ties. He would likely to come into the midfield. Hamza Igamane's situation is more complex. He is reported to be nursing a minor injury amid speculation that he may leave. A hefty transfer fee for the Moroccan might be best for all parties. It is easy to forget that winger Rabbi Matondo is still at Rangers, but the last update on him was that injury would keep him sidelined until later this month. Versatile defender Dujon Sterling a long-term absentee with an Achilles problem. Have Rangers waved goodbye to Ridvan Yilmaz? The left-back is completely out of the picture. | SNS Group Personas non gratas Where is Ridvan Yilmaz? The left-back played 30 minutes against Club Brugge and hasn't been seen since. He's been cut out of the Champions League squad and continues to be linked with Besiktas. He's clearly not in Martin's plans. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The same can be said of three central defenders: Leon King, Ben Davies and Clinton Nsiala. Midfielder Bailey Rice also didn't feature against Motherwell. The difference makers? Spurs loanee Mikey Moore was unable to play at Motherwell as his international clearance was yet to arrive. The 17-year-old arrives with a burgeoning reputation and he will surely be a big part of this Rangers team. As will Finnish winger Oliver Antman if, as expected, he joins next week from Go Ahead Eagles. Another left-back is a must, as Martin can't go the full season with Aarons there. The head coach also needs his own No 9 to lead the line as he wants it done. It is clear Martin wants more of his own players to work with. Eight signings have been made, yet 11 of the squad called upon against Motherwell were around last term. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
Daily Record
4 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Celtic transfer news as Balikwisha timeline emerges and Ambrosino gets appraisal
Brendan Rodgers has made it no secret that he wants to bolster his forward options before the window slams shut on September 1 Celtic will reportedly ramp up their attempts to sign long-term target Michel Ange Balikwisha if they are successful in qualifying for the Champions League. The Royal Antwerp star has been heavily linked with the Hoops inside the past 12 months, with Brendan Rodgers on the hunt for a new wide player following Nicolas Kuhn 's £17million exit to Como. And reports in Belgium claim that while he is still on their radar, theParkhead giants champions may have to negotiate the two-legged tie to get into the revamped group stage of Europe's premiere competition before they can make a move for the ex Belgium youth international. Celtic will find out their opponents for the crunch tie in Monday's draw in Nyon, Switzerland. The report also insists that Southampton have made no formal approach to land Baliwkisha, despite links with the 24-year-old. Meanwhile, Celtic have been told exactly what reported target Giueseppe Ambrosino can bring to Rodgers' attacking arsenal. The Hoops have been linked with a move for the Napoli youngster, who's future with the Serie A champions is unclear after spending the whole of last season out on loan with Frosinone in Serie B. As well as Celtic, Serie A duo Cremonese and Cagliari and second tier sides Bari and Pescara are also said to hold an interest in the forward, who is into the final year of his contract in Naples. And according to former Napoli number two Nicolo Frustalupi - who worked with the 21-year-old during his short tenure as assistant manager to Walter Mazzari at the Diego Armando Maradona between November 2023 and February 2024 - Ambrosino ticks all the boxes as an all-round striker. Speaking to tuttomercatoweb, he said: "One of his best qualities, in my opinion, is his shot: it's powerful and accurate. "It's truly his strongest asset. For a centre forward, he's also very technical: he communicates well with his teammates, he's good at laying off and moving the team forward. He's good in the air, especially when it comes to finishing. "He's not exceptional at flicking on or in aerial duels to provide a point of support, but when it comes to finishing with his head, he's effective. In the Primavera, he was also very good at running forward." Tune in to Hotline Live every Sunday to Thursday and have your say on the biggest issues in Scottish football and listen to Record Sport's newest podcast, Game On, every Friday for your sporting fix, all in bitesize chunks.
Scottish Sun
4 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Celtic & Rangers in Champions League play-off draw: Stream FREE, TV channel, start time & potential opponents
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) CELTIC and Rangers will both be desperate to make it to the Champions League. But if the two Glasgow giants are to get there, there's one major qualifying hurdle to get over. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers is hoping to take the Hoops back to the Champions League Credit: PA 3 Rangers and Russell Martin have already cleared one qualifying hurdle Credit: PA 3 The Old Firm are looking to make it to the Champions League proper Credit: AP Unlike last year, Scottish champions Celtic aren't guaranteed a spot in the Champions League league phase. Instead, Brendan Rodgers' side will have to navigate the play-off round to reach the competition proper. Rangers, meanwhile, have already come through the second qualifying round after seeing-off Panathinaikos. While Celtic are already waiting in the play-off round, Rangers still have to punch their ticket there. Russell Martin's men will take on Czech outfit Viktoria Plzen in the third qualifying round with the winners of that making it into the play-off round. BOTH clubs will know what lies ahead with the play-off draw taking place this Monday. While Rangers still have to get there, the Light Blues will know what lies ahead should they navigate past Plzen over the next week or so. SunSport has all they key info ahead of the big draw. When is the Champions League play-off draw involving Celtic and Rangers? The Champions League play-off draw takes place THIS MONDAY, August 4 It gets underway at 11am UK time The draw will be hosted at Uefa's HQ in Nyon in Switzerland Can I live stream Celtic and Rangers' Champions League play-off draw? Is it on TV ? The draw IS being shown on live TV Champions League broadcaster TNT Sports are showing it live as it happens Coverage begins at 11am on TNT Sports 2 just as the draw is getting started Subscribers can live stream the draw via discovery+ The draw will also be streamed FREE on You can also follow it all LIVE right here with SunSport's live draw blog Who can Celtic and Rangers face in the Champions League play-off draw? Celtic and Rangers are in separate paths of the draw The Hoops are in the Champions Path with Rangers entering the League Path should they get there with Rangers entering the should they get there Celtic are seeded for the draw and have five potential opponents The Hoops will face one of Kairat/Slovan Bratislava, Basel, Shkendija/Qarabag, Dynamo Kyiv/Pafos, Sturm Graz Rangers are unseeded for their draw The Gers/Viktoria Plzen will be drawn against one of two potential match-ups, either Nice/Benfica or Red Bull Salzburg/Club Brugge When does the Champions League play-off round take place? The matches will take place over two legs on 19/20 August and 26/27 August Remember, Rangers first have to navigate the third qualifying round They'll face Viktoria Plzen over two legs on 12 August and 19 August The winners of the play-off ties will qualify for the Champions League league phase Have YOU got a point for Kris Boyd? Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah chew over the big talking points each week SOMETHING you've just got to get off your chest from the weekend action? A burning Scottish football talking point you can't wait to bring up with Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah? SunSport's GoBallistic show wants to hear from you! So why not help set the Scottish football agenda for the week ahead! Have your say on the game's big topics by emailing us on: GoBallistic@ It's YOUR turn to Go Ballistic! Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
