Tyrone Mings’ calamitous error condemned Aston Villa to their first Champions League defeat as they lost 1-0 at Club Brugge. The centre-back inexplicably picked up a short goal-kick by Emiliano Martinez without knowing referee Tobias Stieler had restarted the game. Brugge captain Hans Vanaken converted the resulting 52nd-minute penalty to earn victory for the Belgian champions and end Villa’s three-game winning start to life in the Champions League.
That is incredible! 🤯 Club Brugge awarded a penalty after Tyrone Mings handled the ball after a short kick-out from Emi Martinez! It's tucked away by Vanaken and Brugge lead 1-0! #CLUAVL | #UCL pic.twitter.com/zVckb322SY It was a moment of madness by Mings, making his first start in the competition, but he may feel hard done by as Arsenal defender Gabriel was spared in the exact same circumstances against Bayern Munich in last season’s quarter-final.
On that occasion Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg did not penalise, saying it was a “kid’s mistake” and not in the spirit of the game to award a penalty. Stieler did not have the same outlook and Mings was punished. The incident will divert attention from what was a below-par performance by Unai Emery’s men, who have now lost their last three games in all competitions.
Tyrone Mings, right, had an evening to forget (Belga/PA) They were aiming to create Champions League history by becoming the first team to win their first four games in the competition without conceding a g.
