--- title: "Aston Villa player ratings vs Club Brugge: Torres stars as Jackson delivers" canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2026/09/09/aston-villa-player-ratings-club-brugge/" type: "post" language: "en-GB" author: "James Chettle" section: "Aston Villa Player Ratings" published: "2026-09-09T09:50:00Z" modified: "2026-09-22T10:50:50Z" --- # Aston Villa player ratings vs Club Brugge: Torres stars as Jackson delivers **Aston Villa finally found their attacking spark as Unai Emery’s side beat Club Brugge 3-2 in their opening Champions League fixture.** Villa raced into a 3-1 first-half lead through John McGinn, Emi Buendía and Nicolas Jackson before Nicolò Tresoldi’s penalty made the second half far less comfortable. Emery’s side had only 37 per cent possession but produced **21 shots and more than 3.0 xG**, underlining how dangerous they were when they broke through Brugge’s press. Here are our Aston Villa player ratings from the win in Belgium. ## Zion Suzuki – 8 Another encouraging performance from Villa’s new number one. Suzuki made important saves when Brugge built pressure either side of half-time and was particularly alert against Jan Virgili and Carlos Forbs. There was little he could do about either goal and his saves became increasingly important once Villa lost control after the break. The Guardian also highlighted Suzuki’s role in protecting Villa’s lead during that difficult spell. ## Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6 A mixed first Aston Villa start. Wan-Bissaka showed some of the one-against-one defensive qualities Villa recruited him for, but his evening will inevitably be remembered for the handball that led to Brugge’s penalty. The ball struck his outstretched arm from Joaquin Seys’ cross before the referee awarded the spot kick following a monitor review. Replaced after 69 minutes. ## Victor Lindelöf – 6.5 Solid rather than spectacular. Lindelöf generally dealt well with Tresoldi through the middle and helped Villa defend their penalty area as Brugge pushed harder in the second period. A useful first Champions League start for Emery. ## Pau Torres – 9 – STAR MAN Outstanding. Torres was central to Villa’s best attacking moments and finished with **two assists from centre-back**. His distribution repeatedly allowed Villa to bypass Brugge’s midfield, most notably with the long pass that released Jackson for the third goal. FotMob rated Torres **8.6, the highest score of any Villa player**, while Reuters also singled out his two assists in its match report. We have already taken a deeper look at [why Pau Torres’ Brugge performance justified Emery’s decision to recall him](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/09/08/pau-torres-aston-villa-club-brugge-two-assists/?utm_source=chatgpt.com). ## Ian Maatsen – 6 An awkward evening at times. Maatsen received an early booking after reacting to a throw-in decision and then had to defend Jan Virgili while carrying that yellow card for almost the entire match. Brugge clearly tried to attack Villa down the flanks, and Maatsen was forced into plenty of defensive work. ## Boubacar Kamara – 7 Helped Villa establish control during their excellent first half. Kamara offered protection in front of the defence and remained composed when Villa played through pressure. He began to tire after the interval and was one of the players Emery wanted to replace as Brugge increased the intensity. Off after 69 minutes. ## João Gomes – 8 A very strong return. Gomes was able to play in Europe despite his ongoing domestic suspension and immediately reminded Villa what they have been missing in midfield. Aggressive without the ball, energetic across the pitch and willing to drive Villa forward when possession turned over. FotMob gave him **8.3**, second only to Torres and McGinn among Villa’s outfield players. He remains suspended for Saturday’s Premier League game against Nottingham Forest. ## John McGinn – 8.5 Captain’s performance. McGinn finally ended Villa’s early-season goal drought with a superbly composed finish after 11 minutes and continued to influence the match at both ends. He registered three shots, four key passes and four tackles according to WhoScored’s post-match data, while FotMob rated him 8.5. The goal also carried historical significance, moving McGinn clear as Aston Villa’s leading scorer in major European competition. ## Emi Buendía – 8 Exactly the sort of performance Emery needed. Buendía made it 2-1 after Brugge had briefly levelled and remained one of Villa’s most intelligent players between the lines. His movement repeatedly caused problems during the first half and gave Jackson much-needed support through the middle. Taken off after 69 minutes with Villa trying to regain control. ## George Hemmings – 7 Another significant night for the teenager. Hemmings retained his starting place despite Emery having Ibrahim Mbaye and Alejandro Garnacho available on the bench. He should probably have scored after being presented with two good opportunities shortly after McGinn’s opener, but his willingness to make those runs was encouraging. The Times noted that Hemmings became Villa’s **second-youngest starter in European Cup or Champions League history** at 19 years and 188 days. ## Nicolas Jackson – 8 The goal he needed. Jackson continually threatened the space behind Brugge’s defence before getting his reward shortly before half-time. Torres’ long ball released him, Jackson beat Yann Sommer to it and rolled into the empty net for his **first Aston Villa goal**. It proved to be the winner. Our [Club Brugge 2-3 Aston Villa match report](https://readastonvilla.com/2026/09/08/club-brugge-2-3-aston-villa-match-report/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) details how Jackson’s breakthrough capped Villa’s best half of football this season. ## SUBSTITUTES **Ross Barkley – 6.5** Helped Villa settle after replacing Kamara. His experience was useful when the game became increasingly stretched. **Lamare Bogarde – 6.5** Came on for Wan-Bissaka and almost added a fourth late on, only to see his effort cleared from the line. **Alysson – 6** Added fresh legs in place of Buendía but had limited opportunity to influence Villa’s attacking play. **Tammy Abraham – 6** Introduced for Jackson for the final stages and helped give Villa an outlet while they protected the lead. ## Unai Emery – 8 Villa’s second half was much less convincing than their first, but Emery finally got the response he had been waiting for. Three goals, a Champions League away win and meaningful performances from several new or developing players represented a sizeable step forward. Villa must now translate it into the Premier League when Nottingham Forest visit Villa Park.