'Never say never' - Club Brugge midfielder Onyedika refuses to give up after UCL loss to Aston Villa

At Jan Breydelstadion, Raphael Onyedika made his comeback from a minor injury as Belgian champions Club Brugge were beaten 3-1 by Unai Emery's Aston Villa in a UEFA Champions League round of 16, first leg tie. 

The Nigeria international passed a fitness test ahead of the game after missing the trip to KAA Gent last weekend due to a thigh injury he suffered in a league match against Standard Liege on February 23.

The Premier League side broke the deadlock early in the third minute through Leon Bailey but Club Brugge quickly equalized through Maxim De Cuyper in the 12th minute.

An own goal by Brandon Mechele and Marco Asensio's penalty in the closing stages of the contest secured a victory for Aston Villa, putting them in a commanding position ahead of the return leg.

Speaking post-match, Onyedika refused to write off Club Brugge's qualification chances but acknowledged that they have a mountain to club after conceding two late goals.

"It was a tough conclusion for us. The result was heading in the right direction, so it was tough for us at the end,” Onyedika said to UEFA's official website. 

"In this competition, you have to be at your best. You have to be ready, every action, every match. We've been working for this for months. We play our game and we did our best.

"Today's result makes it difficult for us. But never say never. We have to believe in it. You never know what can happen."

Club Brugge will face Aston Villa at Villa Park in the second leg on Wednesday, March 12, aiming to overturn a two-goal deficit.

Onyedika has been named in Nigeria's provisional squad for this month's crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Rwanda's Wasps and Zimbabwe's Warriors. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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