Club Brugge v Aston Villa: Champions League predictions, best bets and odds

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New season, fresh start, and that's certainly the hope for Aston Villa, whose domestic form has been miserable so far, while Club Brugge will see this as the perfect stage to build on an encouraging start of their own.

Villa's Premier League campaign has been one to forget, still searching for their first goal of the season after three matches, but Unai Emery's side have a habit of transforming into a different animal once European nights come around.

The Spaniard boasts one of the best win percentages of any manager in Champions League history, and Villa have historically saved their best form for this competition even during difficult domestic spells.

Club Brugge, by contrast, head into a new record 13th league-phase appearance full of confidence after storming to the Belgian title last term and winning four of their first five league matches this season. 

Club Brugge v Aston Villa tips

•    Over 7 corners - 3/10 with Bet365

•    Over 1.5 goals - 11/50 with Bet365

•    Zion Suzuki to make 2+ saves - 1/4 with Bet365

Odds courtesy of Bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.

Over seven corners

Club Brugge have been relentless from set pieces this season, racking up at least five corners in every match they've played and even winning as many as 16 in a single game. Playing at home in front of a raucous crowd on a big European night, there's little reason to expect the Belgian champions to ease off that approach here.

Villa's own struggles in front of goal domestically could also work in this bet's favour, as a side low on confidence and short of cutting edge often ends up working the ball wide and relying on crosses and corners to create chances.

With Brugge expected to dominate territory and Villa likely to need their own route to goal, over seven corners at 3/10 with Bet365 looks a strong pick.

Tip: Over 7 corners @ 3/10

Bet explanation: This bet wins if the combined number of corners taken by both teams is eight or more.

Over 1.5 goals

Goals have been a near-guarantee whenever these two sides have shared a pitch, with all three of their previous Champions League meetings producing plenty of action, including a 3-1 Villa win in the away leg of their last-16 tie.

Brugge's defensive frailties in Europe are well-documented too, having conceded more goals than almost any other side in the competition since the start of last season, while their last 15 Champions League matches have all gone over 2.5 goals.

Villa may be blunt domestically right now, but this competition has consistently brought the best out of Emery's side. Over 1.5 goals at the short price of 11/50 with Bet365 is about as safe a starting point as this match offers.

Tip: Over 1.5 goals @ 11/50

Bet explanation: This bet wins if there are two or more goals scored in total between Club Brugge and Aston Villa.

Suzuki to make 2+ saves

Suzuki is set for a landmark night as he looks to become the first-ever Japanese goalkeeper to feature in the European Cup or Champions League, and he could well be kept busy behind a Villa side that have already shown defensive fragility in Europe against this exact opponent, having lost the league-phase meeting between these clubs 1-0 last season.

The 24-year-old goalkeeper comes into this Champions League game full of confidence after making four saves against Hull City over the weekend and keeping a clean sheet.

With Brugge expected to press for an early home advantage, and a Villa defence still finding its rhythm after a chastening start to the domestic campaign, there should be enough action at Suzuki's end of the pitch to make 1/4 with Bet365 for two or more saves a solid inclusion.

Tip: Zion Suzuki to make 2+ saves @ 1/4

Bet explanation: This bet wins if Zion Suzuki makes two or more saves during the match.

Club Brugge v Aston Villa odds

•    Club Brugge - 17/10 with Bet365

•    Draw - 11/4 with Bet365

•    Aston Villa - 7/5 with Bet365

Odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.