Aston Villa will travel to Bruges, Belgium, on 4 March to face Club Brugge at Jan Breydel Stadium for a crucial round of 16 clash.
Aston Villa had a great time in the Champions League group stage, making it into the round of 16 nearly flawlessly. Club Brugge was one of the sides to beat Villa in the Group Stage, beating Villa 1-0. So Villa will be hoping they can bounce back over the two legs.
If you are among the Aston Villa fans travelling to Brugge, this post offers a comprehensive matchday guide, including recommendations for where to eat and drink.
How many Aston fans are going to Bruges?
Based on the number of tickets allocated for this game away to Brugge, there will be a total of 1,470 visiting fans at Jan Breydel Stadium when Aston Villa clashes with Club Brugge. However, much like when the two met in November 2024, many more fans are expected to travel to the city.
If you have yet to buy Club Brugge vs Aston tickets, note that the away end was close to being sold out at the time of this publication.
However, we expect more Villa fans in Bruge because some supporters are expected to buy tickets from third-party resale platforms. We recently reviewed LiveFootballTickets and Seatpick, both of which are options for fans looking to purchase tickets from third-party sites. As with all third-party websites, you will need to pay more than the face value of the tickets if you choose this option. However, this eliminates the need to buy memberships to obtain match tickets.
Note that tickets from third-party platforms are neither sanctioned by the respective competing teams nor UEFA, so you buy them at your own risk.
Aston Villa can confirm ticket details for our trip to Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League.
Where will Aston Villa fans sit at Jan Breydel Stadium?
When visiting the ground, Aston Villa fans in Brugge will occupy the south-east section of the stadium. Please note that entrance 4, turnstiles 421 and 422, will be used by the Aston Villa fans in Brugge on matchday. For Aston Villa fans in Brugge who have booked category one seats, go to Block 121 at Jan Breydel Stadium
Full fans' matchday guide for Club Brugge vs Aston Villa
Where to eat & drink for Aston Villa fans in Brugge
While Jay Breydel Stadium is situated in a quiet neighbourhood, Aston Villa fans in Brugge can still find plenty of pubs and restaurants in the vicinity.
Here are some great spots where Villa fans travelling to Bruges, Belgium can visit for a good pint during the half-time break or after the Champions League night on Wednesday 6 November 2024.
- In De Vriendschap – N367 594, 8200 Brugge, Belgium
- Sweet Home Lunch – Gistelse Steenweg 482, 8200 Brugge, Belgium
- Central Pool Bar – Braambergstraat 11, 8000 Brugge, Belgium
How to get to Jan Breydel Stadium: Guide for Aston Villa fans in Brugge
The Cercle Brugge Stadium is located approximately 3.5 km from the Brugge city centre, making it easily accessible by car. However, parking can be quite limited despite the stadium being outside the city center. Therefore, driving may not be the best option due to the challenges of finding a parking spot. If you do decide to drive, using a satellite navigation system with the following addresses for directions is recommended:
Koning Leopold III-laan 50, 8200 Bruges, Belgium
By train or metro
Reaching the ground is a convenient experience with the local train or metro services. Fans can hop on either Line 5 or Line 15 at the central railway station, enjoying a scenic 15-minute journey toward Sint-Andries. Once they disembark at the Sint-Andries stop, it's just a leisurely five-minute stroll to the stadium, allowing fans to soak in the atmosphere as they approach the venue.
Aston Villa has thoughtfully arranged a travel itinerary for their supporters in Bruges, which includes a shuttle bus service commencing at 4:30 PM on matchday. Fans can board Bus Line 3 and disembark at Diksmuide Heirweg, the nearest bus station to the iconic Jan Breydel Stadium, making it a hassle-free option for those looking to enjoy the match.
For those who prefer the charm of train travel over the shuttle bus, taking Line 5 or Line 15 toward St. Andries will lead you directly to Club Brugge's station. After getting off, it's only a breezy five-minute walk to the stadium, allowing fans to relish the excitement building around them as they get closer to the action.
West Midlands Police release advice for Aston Villa fans in Brugge
On Friday, 1 November, the West Midlands Police Force Football Unit released some tips for fans ahead of the club's first trip. While no new information has been released for the next set of fixtures, the information remains relevant.
dir=”ltr”>Fans can enjoy the whole City Centre of Bruges. There are 2 large squares that will be welcoming to supporters. These are Grand Place and Bruges City Hall. They're close together and are surrounded by Bars and Restaurants. There will be no away fans within the City Centre.
— Aston Villa Police (@WMPVillaFC) November 1, 2024
FGG says: A big moment in Brugge
With a chance to play in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on the line, it's a huge night in Brugge for Villa. While they'll have a second leg at home to fix any issues, Villa will want to lay the foundation in the first leg. While they lost when the two sides met before, Villa will feel they are the favourites for this set of fixtures.