🔗 Share this article

Two goals from Donyell Malen propelled Aston Villa toward direct qualification for the last 16 of the European competition in a match overshadowed of fan disturbances from Young Boys supporters.

The Netherlands forward showcased the team's improved strength in depth, but this 10th win in twelve matches was tainted by away supporters destroying seats, throwing objects at security and Villa players, and fighting with officers.

Beginning of the current season, no team has won more continental games at their own stadium (thirteen out of fifteen) than the Villa squad. The Villa manager looks a good bet to claim the trophy for a fifth time.

Game Overview and Disturbance Details

The Swiss fans had contributed to the early vibrant mood prior to Malen’s first goal. Their coordinated clapping, drumming, pogoing and chanting lent the early kick-off a feeling of a continental occasion, although what followed both first-half goals was inexcusable by any standards.

In scenes similar to other disturbances with their fans in the past two years, the visiting hardcore fans reacted to Malen’s headed goal in the first half by throwing plastic cups at the jubilant home team, with the scorer suffering a cut to the head.

Young Boys had been penalized a substantial sum by Uefa and ordered to cover damages for destroying seats and toilet blocks in their European top-tier visit in a previous season. Additionally, they were further penalized the prior campaign for the deployment of flares in their volatile Champions League visit.

Worsening of Unrest

However, the situation got worse after the second goal moments before half-time. As the Dutch forward grinned celebrating with a slide in the general direction of the away supporters, they responded by ripping out seats to throw alongside further projectiles and liquid at the increased presence of security personnel.

Fighting broke out with law enforcement while Loris Benito, the Young Boys captain, approached to plead for peace from his team’s supporters. No fewer than two trouble-makers were removed by police. Play experienced a five-minute holdup until the match resumed and the period concluded.

Young Boys fans clash with police and stewards during a eventful opening period.

Match Display

It had at least been a very satisfactory period on the field for the hosts as they chased a seventh straight victory at their ground. Malen, who had a prompt influence when substituted during the break last weekend, was chosen to play at centre-forward, among seven changes to Emery’s starting lineup.

How he made the most of his chance, incisive and pacy for all of his hour on the pitch. The opposition keeper had been forced to save his superb long-range effort in the fourth minute, and two other players came close prior to Malen headed in a cross from midfield. The home side were so dominant that multiple contributors were involved in the buildup.

The play for the second goal was somewhat more direct but equally pleasing to watch. Morgan Rogers played a superb through pass for the striker to take in his stride through the channel after which he turned past a defender and smashed in his sixth strike of the season.

Aftermath and Conclusion

Perhaps the scorer should not have celebrated in the visiting supporters’ direction, but the supporter misconduct was utterly unjustifiable as it was severe.

A subdued mood over the next half hour as the away supporters, largely dressed in black, refrained from singing. Jadon Sancho had a shot saved, and a Villa player was correctly given offside before providing an assist for a tap-in.

When the hosts made substitutions on the sixty-minute point, offering key individuals additional rest ahead of the local clash, the away contingent resumed their noise. A taunting chant came the home supporters’ riposte.

As the visitors eventually put the ball in the Villa net, Chris Bedia slotting home a cross, there was a protracted video review before the score was ruled out for an offside in the preceding action. The linesman on that side had shuffled up his line up the field and distanced from the away fans when the verdict was announced.

In stoppage time, though, a substitute did crack home a consolation goal, after a diagonal pass, and on this occasion video review upheld Young Boys their brief jubilation.

After all the political backdrop to the previous European fixture at this venue, Villa will travel to Switzerland in December anticipating a peaceful visit and the three points that should safeguard their passage into the next round of the competition.