Aston Villa gives away bizarre penalty for handball to gift Club Brugge the win in Champions League
Brugge's Hans Vanaken, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring a penalty his side's first goal, during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Club Brugge and Aston Villa at Jan Breydelstadion in Bruges, Belgium, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Geert Vanden Wijngaert]
BRUGGE, Belgium (AP) — Aston Villa gave away an unusual penalty for handball in a 1-0 loss in the Champions League against Club Brugge. It ended Villa’s winning run in the Champions League and was described by Unai Emery as the biggest mistake he had ever seen in his career. Tyrone Mings picked up the ball after receiving a short goal kick from goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez early in the second half. Mings apparently thought the ball was not yet in play and walked forward to pick it up. Brugge captain Hans Vanaken converted the penalty in the 52nd minute. Villa had won its first three games.
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Aston Villa's head coach Unai Emery watches the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Club Brugge and Aston Villa at Jan Breydelstadion in Bruges, Belgium, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Geert Vanden Wijngaert