[1] Born in Helmond, North Brabant, van Aerle spent 13 years with Eredivisie giants PSV Eindhoven, helping them to five leagues.

During most of his spell, he also played as a defensive midfielder as the right-back slot was occupied by veteran Belgian Eric Gerets; incidentally, the Dutchman spent one year in that country, on loan to Royal Antwerp FC.

[2][3] After Gerets retired in 1992, he began dealing with several injuries but still managed to appear regularly, collecting more than 300 overall appearances until his departure; he was also one of five European players to ever achieve the feat of winning four competitions – three with their club and one with the national team – in the same year, the others being teammates Hans van Breukelen, Wim Kieft, Ronald Koeman and Gerald Vanenburg.

After working as a mailman in his hometown,[4] he returned to PSV, where he served in several capacities (talent scout,[5] supporters coordinator).

In the following year's UEFA European Championship, he was an undisputed starter as the national side lifted their first continental trophy, in West Germany (all matches and minutes).