---
title: "Aston Villa confirmed XI vs Club Brugge as Gomes returns and Hemmings starts"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2026/09/08/aston-villa-confirmed-xi-club-brugge/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "Aston Villa Match Previews"
published: "2026-09-08T15:44:09Z"
modified: "2026-10-10T21:46:09Z"
---

# Aston Villa confirmed XI vs Club Brugge as Gomes returns and Hemmings starts

**Unai Emery has named his Aston Villa starting XI to face Club Brugge in the Champions League, with George Hemmings retaining his place and João Gomes returning to the side.**

Villa begin their 2026/27 Champions League campaign at the Jan Breydel Stadium this evening, with Emery making three changes from Saturday’s goalless draw at Hull City.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka replaces Matty Cash at right-back, Pau Torres comes in for Tyrone Mings and Gomes replaces Ross Barkley in midfield.

The biggest attacking decision sees **19-year-old Hemmings keep his place** ahead of £47million summer signing Ibrahim Mbaye and Alejandro Garnacho.

> How we start this evening to take on Club Brugge in the [#UCL](https://x.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) 👊 [pic.twitter.com/d7ftzgnoIi](https://t.co/d7ftzgnoIi)
>
> — Aston Villa (@AstonVilla) [September 8, 2026](https://x.com/AstonVilla/status/2097346924823064923?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## Aston Villa confirmed XI vs Club Brugge

**Aston Villa XI:** Suzuki; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelöf, Pau Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Gomes; McGinn, Buendía, Hemmings; Jackson.

**Substitutes:** Bizot, Wright, Mings, Barkley, Ruggeri, Garnacho, Abraham, Mbaye, Bogarde, Alysson.

Hemmings’ inclusion rewards an encouraging performance at Hull, where he registered Villa’s first Premier League shot on target of the season and created a major opportunity for Buendía.

We looked more closely at the academy midfielder in our guide to [George Hemmings and his Aston Villa breakthrough](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/09/05/who-is-george-hemmings-aston-villa/?utm_source=chatgpt.com).

UEFA lists Hemmings as a 19-year-old midfielder wearing number 53 for Villa, and tonight gives him another significant opportunity on the European stage. [UEFA’s George Hemmings profile](https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/clubs/players/250199792--george-hemmings/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) confirms his place in Villa’s Champions League squad.

Gomes also makes his return after missing Villa’s previous two matches through domestic suspension.

His ban does not apply to UEFA competition, as explained in our [João Gomes availability guide before the Club Brugge game](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/09/07/joao-gomes-aston-villa-club-brugge-champions-league-boost/?utm_source=chatgpt.com).

That gives Emery a powerful midfield pairing of Gomes and Boubacar Kamara behind captain John McGinn and Buendía.

Nicolas Jackson again leads the attack as he searches for his first competitive Villa goal.

There is plenty of firepower available from the bench if Emery needs to change the game. Mbaye, Garnacho and Tammy Abraham are all among the substitutes.

Villa kick off in Bruges at **17:45 BST**, with the full broadcast details available in our [Club Brugge vs Aston Villa TV and match guide](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/09/06/club-brugge-vs-aston-villa-tv-channel-kick-off-time-team-news/?utm_source=chatgpt.com).