The Japan Times - Asensio stars as Villa beat Brugge to book PSG showdown

Asensio came off the bench to strike twice in the second half of the last-16 second leg at Villa Park.

The in-form Spanish forward has netted seven times since joining on loan from PSG in the January transfer window and is set for a reunion with his parent club in the last eight.

Brugge had Kyriani Sabbe sent off for a professional foul on Marcus Rashford early in the first half and Asensio ensured Villa eventually took advantage.

Ian Maatsen scored in between Asensio's brace as Unai Emery's side romped to a 6-1 aggregate victory.

With Prince William, a noted Villa fan, celebrating in the stands, the Premier League outfit are through to the quarter-finals of Europe's elite club competition for the first time in 42 years.

Their exit against Juventus at that stage in 1982-83 was Villa's last appearance in the European Cup -- the forerunner to the Champions League -- until this season.

Emery's men are the first team to reach the Champions League quarter-finals in their debut season in the competition since Atalanta in 2019-20.

Wins against Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Celtic are among the Champions League highlights for Emery's men this term.

PSG are next in their sights after the Ligue 1 leaders' penalty shoot-out win at Liverpool on Tuesday.

Facing PSG in April will have extra meaning for Emery, who spent two turbulent seasons in charge at PSG, winning the French title in 2018 but struggling in the Champions League.

It is only the second time Emery has made it past the Champions League last 16 after he took Villarreal to the semi-finals in 2022.

A repeat of their famous European Cup-winning campaign in 1982 might prove beyond Villa, but they have created memories of lifetime in their fairytale run this season.

- Songs of praise -

As fireworks crackled over Villa Park before kick-off, fans in the Holte End unfurled a huge flag emblazoned with the motto "Prepared".

It was a message their team initially seemed to ignore.

Brugge captain Hans Vanaken glanced a header just wide of the far post in a confident start from the visitors.

Raphael Onyedika's goal-bound was blocked by Villa defender Ezri Konsa, a chance that provoked anxious groans from fretting fans.

Villa lost 1-0 at Brugge in the league phase and needed two goals in the final eight minutes to take control in the last-16 first leg.

But Brugge had never won in England in 14 trips and those nervous Villa supporters need not have worried as the tension was lifted in an instant by Rashford's blistering pace.

Accelerating onto Emiliano Martinez's long punt in the 17th minute, Rashford was hauled down by Sabbe on the edge of the area, with the Brugge defender dismissed for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

From the free-kick, Youri Tielemans' drive forced Simon Mignolet to make a sprawling save low to his right.

Emery made an inspired double substitution at the interval, sending on Asensio and Leon Bailey in a move that paid immediate dividends.

The pair combined to break the deadlock in the 50th minute as Bailey's pass reached Asensio inside the Brugge area and he swivelled to finish with aplomb.

Asensio should have scored again moments later, but the 29-year-old's shot cannoned back off the post.

With Villa fans singing songs of praise to Emery, Maatsen doubled the lead in the 57th minute.

Morgan Rogers' nimble footwork worked space for a cross to Maatsen, whose close-range effort deflected past Mignolet.

Asensio wrapped up another memorable European night for Villa four minutes later, meeting Rashford's low cross with a clinical finish from six yards.

T.Maeda--JT