Aston Villa have “seemed like they belong” within the Champions League having “sailed by” to complete eighth within the league part, says The Athletic’s chief soccer correspondent Rory Smith.
Unai Emery’s males face Membership Brugge on the Jan Breydelstadion on Tuesday within the first leg of their last-16 tie.
“It is arduous to not be impressed,” stated Smith on BBC Radio 5 Reside’s Soccer Day by day podcast. “They’ve taken to it like a duck to water.
“They have been helped somewhat bit with a comparatively variety group stage lottery draw, however they sailed by successfully. They got here eighth within the desk and that meant they received automated qualification, which as one of many decrease seeded groups is an unimaginable achievement.
“They’ve seemed like they belong and that’s the most you’ll be able to say for a group that hasn’t been within the competitors for 40 years.”