🔗 Share this article

Two goals by the Dutch striker guided the home side toward direct qualification for the last 16 of the European competition in a match overshadowed of crowd violence by visiting supporters.

Dutch striker showcased Villa’s greater strength in depth, but this 10th win in twelve matches was marred by visiting fans destroying seats, hurling missiles at stewards and Villa players, and fighting with officers.

Since the start of the current season, no team has secured more continental games at their own stadium (thirteen out of fifteen) than the Villa squad. The Villa manager appears likely to win this competition for a record fifth occasion.

Game Summary and Disturbance Details

Young Boys supporters had contributed to the early vibrant mood before Malen’s first goal. Their orchestrated clapping, drumming, pogoing and chanting lent the afternoon start a sense of a European night, yet the events after each of the early scores was unacceptable by all measures.

Under circumstances similar to other disturbances with their fans in the past two years, the visiting hardcore fans responded to Malen’s headed goal in the 27th minute by throwing plastic cups at the celebrating Villa players, with the scorer suffering a facial injury.

Young Boys had been penalized a substantial sum by Uefa and ordered to cover damages for damaging seats and toilet blocks in their Champions League match just over two years ago. Additionally, they were fined about €18,000 last season for the deployment of flares in their volatile Champions League visit.

Escalation of Trouble

But the trouble escalated following Malen doubled the lead three minutes before half-time. As the Dutch forward grinned doing a knee-slide in the vicinity of the travelling fans, they responded by ripping out chairs to hurl in addition to further projectiles and liquid at the growing numbers of police and stewards.

Clashes erupted with law enforcement while Loris Benito, the Young Boys captain, went over to plead for peace from his team’s supporters. At least two trouble-makers were escorted away by officers. Play experienced a lengthy delay until play could recommence and the half be completed.

Young Boys fans confront authorities during a eventful first half.

Match Performance

Nonetheless, it was been a highly positive half in sporting terms for Villa as they pursued a seventh successive victory at their ground. Malen, who made such an immediate impact when substituted during the break last weekend, was chosen to lead the attack, one of multiple rotations to the team sheet.

How he made the most of his opportunity, sharp and speedy for the duration in play. The opposition keeper had had to tip over his superb 25-yard shot in the early stages, and two teammates came close before Malen headed in the delivery from midfield. Villa were so dominant that eight players were part of the move.

The move for the next score was somewhat more direct but equally pleasing to watch. Morgan Rogers played a superb through pass for Malen to collect effortlessly down the inside-left channel after which he turned past a defender and drilled home his sixth strike of the campaign.

Aftermath and Finish

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

A subdued mood over the next half hour as the Young Boys fans, almost to a man wearing dark attire, ceased their chants. A visiting attacker had a attempt stopped, and Rogers was correctly given offside before providing an assist for a tap-in.

But as Villa rang the changes on the hour mark, offering key individuals additional rest before the derby with Wolves, the visiting fans sprang back into voice. “We forgot that you were here,” was the home crowd's retort.

When Young Boys did first get the ball in the goal, Chris Bedia slotting home a delivery, there was a protracted video review until the goal was disallowed for an offside in the preceding action. The assistant referee on the near touchline had moved position up the field and distanced from the Young Boys supporters when the decision was given.

During added time, however, Joël Monteiro scored a late reply, following a cross-field ball, and on this occasion video review upheld the visitors their brief jubilation.

After all the political backdrop to the last Europa League game at this venue, the team will head to Basel next month anticipating a peaceful visit and the victory that should safeguard their passage into the last 16 of the tournament.