Aston Villa will face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-finals after making light work of Club Brugge in the last 16.
The Villans ran out 3-1 winners in the first leg in Belgium before recording a resounding 3-0 victory at Villa Park on Wednesday night.
Villa were under the cosh in the early stages of the Champions League clash, but Kyriani Sabbe’s 16th-minute red card lessened the pressure on the hosts.
Marco Asensio delivered another masterclass with a brace off the bench, either side of an Ian Maatsen goal from close range on 57 minutes.
Villa fans, buzzing after yet another memorable European night, said one of their players delivered his “best game in a Villa shirt” on the night.
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Aston Villa fans wowed by Ian Maatsen display against Club Brugge
The player in question is Ian Maatsen, who has been going from strength to strength since arriving from Chelsea last summer.
“Best game in a Villa shirt for Maatsen,” one fan wrote on X, while another said: “Maatsen’s best game in a Villa shirt. Been really good.”
Another supporter said: “Torres being fit, keeps Mings on his toes. Maatsen with his best game, makes Digne focus.
“Squad depth is gonna be so key. Makes everyone better.”
The praise kept coming, with one fan saying: “Ian Maatsen best game in a Villa shirt. Needed that.”
Another wrote: “Ian Maatsen was absolutely outstanding tonight.”
How Ian Maatsen fared against Club Brugge
Maatsen not only scored his first Villa goal on Wednesday night, but his overall performance was outstanding.
The 23-year-old won four of his duels on the night, made three key passes, completed one of his dribbles, and made two clearances, two interceptions and one tackle.
| Ian Maatsen v Club Brugge | |
| Minutes played | 90′ |
| Goals | 1 |
| Clearances | 2 |
| Interceptions | 2 |
| Total tackles | 1 |
| Ground duels (won) | 4 (3) |
| Aerial duels (won) | 2 (1) |
| Touches | 85 |
| Accurate passes | 60/64 (94%) |
| Key passes | 3 |
| Shots on target | 1 |
| Shots off target | 1 |
| Dribble attempts (succ.) | 2 (1) |
“Maatsen came back into the XI tonight, making his third Champions League start,” the Birmingham Mail wrote as they gave him an 8 out of 10.
“He won the ball back in the final third in the 13th minute and was a constant outlet on the wing.
“He scored his first goal for the club after popping up in the box to score from Rogers’ cross.”
Villa struck gold when they signed Maatsen and, at just 23 years of age, he’s still nowhere near his prime.
The Villans are next in action on 30 March, after the international break, when they head to Preston North End in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
