A summer of major upheaval had left Aston Villa with ground to make up in the opening weeks of the Premier League season, but the story has been completely different tonight in the Champions League.

After taking just one point from their first three league matches and, perhaps even more concerningly, failing to score despite managing only a single shot on target, many supporters would have feared the worst before the trip to Club Brugge.

Instead, Unai Emery's team have produced a stylish display and begun to resemble the side that charged to Europa League glory last season, scoring three times in a sensational first half.

Villa's opening goal arrived inside 12 minutes and, fittingly, it came from captain John McGinn. The Scotland midfielder curled a superb left-footed finish into the net after an excellent surge forward from Pau Torres. The strike saw the Villa skipper further cement his place in the club's history books.

Club Brugge drew level soon afterwards, but Villa restored their lead almost immediately. Outstanding work from new signings Nicolas Jackson and Joao Gomes allowed another member of the old guard, Buendia, to convert from close range.

Jackson then added his name to the scoresheet with his first goal since his club-record move from Chelsea, taking full advantage of a dreadful mistake by veteran goalkeeper Yan Sommer to tap in.

Forty-five minutes. Seven shots on target. Three goals. Whatever the changes, Villa are on the move again in Europe.