---
title: "Club Brugge boss admits ‘perfect match’ needed to beat Aston Villa"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2026/09/07/ivan-leko-aston-villa-club-brugge/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2026-09-07T15:40:56Z"
modified: "2026-10-10T21:46:07Z"
---

# Club Brugge boss admits ‘perfect match’ needed to beat Aston Villa

**Club Brugge manager Ivan Leko believes his side will need to produce an almost “perfect match” to beat Aston Villa in Tuesday’s Champions League opener.**

Unai Emery takes his rebuilt Villa squad to Belgium looking for a response after collecting only one point from their opening three Premier League matches.

However, despite Villa’s difficult start and extensive summer changes, Leko has made it clear that the Belgian champions are expecting a serious challenge.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday, Leko told [Starsporttv that Club Brugge will need to be almost perfect](https://starsporttv.be/content/champions-league-ivan-leko-verwacht-sterk-aston-villa-we-hebben-een-perfecte-match-nodig-om-te-winnen?utm_source=chatgpt.com) if they are to take three points.

## Ivan Leko knows what Aston Villa can produce

Leko acknowledged how dramatically Villa’s squad changed during the summer transfer window.

Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, Ezri Konsa and Emiliano Martinez were among the major players to leave, while Emery has integrated a significant group of new signings.

The Club Brugge boss nevertheless pointed to one important constant.

Emery remains in charge.

Leko said he knows Villa’s style well and expects his team to have to perform at a very high level to compete.

Club Brugge intend to play aggressively in front of their own supporters rather than simply trying to contain Villa.

That confidence is understandable.

As detailed in our [Club Brugge form guide ahead of Aston Villa](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/09/06/club-brugge-scouting-report-form-guide/), the Belgian champions have won four of their opening five league matches.

Their European home record is even more impressive.

[UEFA confirms Club Brugge have lost only three of their last 22 UEFA home matches](https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/02a9-2180c6b55c39-54a55373de68-1000--champions-league-matchday-1-key-stats-and-what-to-look-o/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), winning 13 of those fixtures.

Villa have still shown they can win at the Jan Breydel Stadium.

Emery’s side recorded a 3-1 victory there during the 2024/25 Champions League round of 16, with our Club Brugge vs Aston Villa H2H guide covering all three previous meetings.

Leko clearly remembers the threat Villa can pose.

For all the uncertainty surrounding Emery’s new-look side, the Club Brugge coach does not appear to be taking their current domestic form for granted.