There was barely a murmur when Emiliano Martínez took a routine goal kick five minutes into the second half and then, a few seconds later, loud cheers rang out from the players dressed in Club Brugge blue and black as they suddenly felt the impact of Tyrone Mings' brain numbness. The defender incorrectly assumed that Martínez had not resumed play, picked up the ball, placed it on the edge of the six-yard box and played the ball to his goalkeeper.

Only the German referee Tobias Stieler and most of the stadium were convinced that the ball was in play and punished Mings, who had been booked in the first half, with a penalty but failed to earn a second yellow card . Hans Vanaken sent the subsequent penalty down the middle and the 19-time Belgian champions took the lead, albeit under unusual circumstances.

Two years to the day after Emery's first game in charge of Villa, a 3-1 win over Manchester United, it's worth remembering how far they've come, even considering the look of disgust on Vanaken's face Martínez's net, probably Villa's manager, swirled into the net I won't look at it that way. On the night, Emery's side were not selected by Nicky Hayen, the Brugge coach who was in charge of Cymru Premier League side Haverfordwest County two years ago.

It would be wrong to claim that Brugge only prospered because of this decision, abruptly ending Villa's 100 percent record in the Champions League. The hosts were the better team, more dynamic, more dangerous. Ollie Watkins fired a shot just wide in the first half and John McGinn sank an awkward header, but they struggled to break into Brugge, where centre-back Joel Ordonez was having a good game. Villa midfielder Boubacar Kamara shot wide four minutes from the end of normal time.

Former Liverpool and Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet had no problems in the first half, but at the other end Martínez had to be on his toes to ensure it remained goalless at the break. Brugge had numerous chances, including two in the 30th minute^Th In the first minute, Ferran Jutglà shot a shot against the post with a thin Martínez paw. Brugge smelled blood and seconds later Martínez dove low to block Christos Tzolis's right-footed shot with his left hand. Perhaps it was pure coincidence that Villa's reserves, including Jhon Durán, set off to warm up moments later.

Villa was on the ropes. A few minutes later, Maxim De Cuyper sent a teasing cross into the penalty area, from where Casper Nielsen directed a header back into the goal. which sent Mings into a panicked, addicted state. Ardon Jashari was first to get the rebound and shot at Martínez. Mings was one of five changes and one of three in defence, with the Villa defender joining Diego Carlos at centre-back. Neither seemed comfortable, both were cautioned in the first half, Carlos for inconsistencies. Former Norwich striker Tzolis caused problems and harmonized brilliantly with Andreas Skov Olsen. Emery was in a hurry to get down the tunnel before the half-time whistle blew. For Mings, it was his second appearance after a 14-month injury break and an unforgettable European debut.

It had been a slow start to the second half and then Mings' bizarre mistake gave Brugge a lead, although their adventure probably deserved one. Ian Maatsen, another change since Villa's defeat at Tottenham on Sunday, made an important save to prevent Olsen from reaching a vicious cross from substitute Joaquin Seys at the back post and another substitute, Bjorn Meijer, having a bending attempt almost scored the second goal. Villa got what a tepid performance deserved: a third consecutive defeat in a strange episode that Mings and anyone associated with a Villa personality would soon like to forget.