Club Brugge KV vs Aston Villa

Club Brugge host Aston Villa on matchday one of the new-look Champions League league phase, an early test before a demanding run of fixtures for both sides. Belgian champions Club Brugge want to open with a statement, while Aston Villa, who finished fourth in the Premier League last season, need a reset after a shaky start to their new campaign. Brugge are flying domestically, winning all three Jupiler Pro League games without conceding. Villa, meanwhile, were hammered 4-0 at Brighton on the opening weekend, and a turbulent summer hasn't helped, with Lucas Digne sold to Paris Saint-Germain and question marks lingering over Emiliano Martinez and Ollie Watkins. The two clubs already share European history: Brugge won 1-0 in Bruges last November before Villa hit back 3-1 to advance. Keep an eye on Christos Tzolis, Brugge's chief goal threat, and captain Hans Vanaken pulling strings, while Villa will lean on Watkins and Morgan Rogers. Our prediction: 1-1