European Cup runners-up back in 1978, Club Brugge are making a rare venture into the Champions League's knockout rounds - only their second to date - after squeezing through the league phase before enjoying a memorable playoff success.

Having won the home leg with a controversial late penalty, the Belgian champions simply swept Serie A title contenders Atalanta BC aside in the first half of their second encounter, as teenage winger Chemsdine Talbi scored twice in a breakout performance.

Leaving Bergamo with a 5-2 aggregate win over last year's Europa League winners, Brugge continued their impressive progress following a slow start to the first stage of Europe's top competition.

Beaten by Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan during the first three rounds, the Blauw-Zwart bounced back by beating Aston Villa and ultimately made the top 24 on goal difference, despite a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City on the last matchday.

Since then, they have turned their attention to Belgium's Pro League, where they have a 10-point deficit to leaders Genk after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Gent.

Last term, Brugge claimed a fourth domestic title in five years, but Nicky Hayen's side have proved to be less formidable this time around.

Still, they are particularly strong at home, as last month's loss to Standard Liege was their first in 17 games at Jan Breydelstadion. Finding the net is no problem either: they have failed to score in just one of their last 35 fixtures.

Like Villa, Brugge took part in the Conference League last season, coming through three qualifying rounds before reaching the semi-finals - and both have adapted well to life amid Europe's elite.

The clubs' first competitive meeting in November brought a close-fought 1-0 win for Hayen's side, with the teams separated by a moment of absent-mindedness from Tyrone Mings, after which Hans Vanaken coolly dispatched a decisive penalty.

That finally ended a long winless run against English opposition that stretched back some 14 matches - 11 of which had been defeats.

The Blauw-Zwart were one of only two teams that managed to beat Unai Emery's men during the league phase, as Villa also proved worthy of their place in the elimination stage.

After storming through their first three Champions League fixtures - including a memorable home win over Bayern Munich - by claiming maximum points and a trio of clean sheets, the Premier League side then stumbled with that loss in Bruges.

Nonetheless, finishing up with an eventful 4-2 victory over Celtic ultimately secured a cherished top-eight finish and direct entry to the last 16.

Once again, the Villans will lean upon the vast experience of their Basque boss, who now leads a fourth different team into the knockout phase, following previous runs with Valencia, PSG and Villarreal.

As injuries and fatigue have recently set into his Aston Villa squad, the Birmingham side have seen their league form waver - and a long trend of away struggles has yet to abate.

Sitting only 10th in England's top flight - albeit just four points shy of fifth place - they have have lost nine of their last 12 fixtures on the road.

But, with just two defeats in 23 home games across all competitions - the latest being Friday's 2-0 FA Cup win over second-tier Cardiff City - Emery will be keen to keep things tight in Belgium before going for glory at Villa Park.

Club Brugge possible starting lineup:

Mignolet; Seys, Ordonez, Mechele, De Cuyper; Jashari, Vetlesen; Talbi, Vanaken, Tzolis; Jutgla

Aston Villa possible starting lineup:

Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Bogarde, Digne; Kamara, Tielemans; McGinn, Asensio, Rogers; Watkins